Abstract 14841: An Italian Survey on 4000 Healthy Young Students: An Electrocardiographic Evaluation

Abstract

Purpose: In Italy, annual incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with less than 35 years is 1/1000. While young athletes periodically undergo to cardiologic examinations, non-competitive sport only require a certificate of general practitioner. The aim of our study is to perform an electrocardiographic screening in young students to identify patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Methods: From October 2010 to December 2011 we enrolled 4069 young students(age 18.2 ±0.9 years;45% male). All students underwent to an electrocardiographic evaluation using a mobile electrocardiographer with a remote transmission to a core-lab. Students with congenital or acquired known heart disease were excluded.

Results: An history of sudden cardiac death was reported by 0,07 % of students. Observing 4069 electrocardiograms, in 19% (773,348 males and 425 females) we found anomalies that needed further examinations:1)supraventricular arrhythmias 3,24 %; 2)ventricular arrhythmias 1,08 %; 3)atrio-ventricular block 0,91 %; 4)fascicular block 4,50 %; 5)right / left branch block 1,55 %; 6)ventricular pre-excitation 3,69 %; 7)atrial enlargement 0,98 %; 8)long / short QT 0,61 %; 9)ventricular repolarization anomalies 4,50%; 10)ECG signs of left ventricular hypertrophy 0,47%; 11)junctional rhythm 0,07%; 12)coronary sinus rhythm 0,22%; 13)Brugada (suspect)2,09 %.

Conclusions: This study showed that, in a population of apparently healthy young students, exists an important percent of "patients" that present ECG-anomalies potentially at risk SCD.