Key result
Age and gender significantly alter ECG reference parameters, underscoring the need for population-specific criteria.
Why the study?
ECG numerical values and ranges vary by age, gender, and race, requiring population-specific reference ranges for accurate arrhythmia classification.
Observational (n=9,853)
No
ECG reference ranges in Northern Thai patients show specific variations by age and gender, suggesting the need for population-specific criteria for diagnosing arrhythmias and hypertrophy.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May warrant population-specific ECG norms in Northern Thai adults; leaves open diagnostic impact on hypertrophy and arrhythmia classification.
BACKGROUND: The numerical values and ranges of the ECG are used as criteria for classifying types of arrhythmia. However, one criterion cannot be generically applied for all patient groups. Several studies have shown that age, gender, and race are the major key factors which produce variations in ECG values. METHODS: From May 2013 to February 2014, we collected 12 993 normal ECG data from 9853 Northern Thai patients at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand, to analyse their ECG reference ranges. RESULTS: The results showed that the average heart rate decreased, while the PR interval and QTcB increased with increasing age in both genders. The normal range of heart rate was lower than the standard interval. QRS duration was stable in all age groups but longer in males than females. QRS axis deviated to the left with increasing age. SV1+RV5 amplitude slightly changed in both genders, but the upper limit crossed over the criteria of ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the general trend of data was mainly similar to that found in other studies in Chinese, American, and African populations. However, some minor differences should be considered specifically for the Northern Thai population. Flexible criteria on conditions depending on age and gender should be adjusted for Northern Thai patients according to the results of this research.
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Khumrin et al. (2015) conducted an observational in Normal ECG (n=9,853). Age and gender was evaluated on ECG reference ranges (heart rate, PR interval, QTcB, QRS duration, QRS axis, SV1+RV5 amplitude). Age and gender significantly influenced ECG parameters in Northern Thai patients, with heart rate decreasing and PR interval and QTcB increasing with age, requiring population-specific criteria.
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