RT-163

RT-163	QT dispersion in elite athletes with and without ventricular arrhythmias


Alessandro Biffi, Luisa Verdile, Antonio Pelliccia, Antonio Spataro, Fredrick Fernando, Giuseppe Marcello, Roberto Ciardo, Giovanni Caselli. Sport Science Institute, Department of Medicine, CONI, Rome, Italy

Abstract
	BACKGROUND. It is not known how athlete’s heart affects electrocardiographic QT dispersion, but sudden unexpected deaths occur in athletes. Therefore, we compared QT dispersions between athletes with and without arrhythmias. Relationship between QT dispersion and left ventricular mass was also studied. METHODS. Fifty elite athletes without arrhythmias and 27 athletes with frequent and complex ventricular arrhythmias and apparently normal heart were studied. Athletes were randomly selected from various sports. Each athlete underwent a cardiovascular screening including color-Doppler echocardiography and 12-lead electrocardiographic QT dispersion measurement. RESULTS. QT dispersion was not increased in elite athletes. No significant differences in QT dispersion were found between two groups of athletes with and without ventricular arrhythmias. No relationship between left ventricular mass and QT dispersion was found in athletes. CONCLUSIONS. Elite athletes with physiologic increased left ventricular mass do not have increased QT dispersion. The presence of frequent and complex ventricular arrhythmias does not affect QT dispersion measurements in athletes.
Key Words

QT dispersion in elite athletes with and without ventricular arrhythmias