[Early repolarization in soccer players' ECG. Prevalence, characteristics and evolution]

Early repolarization (RP) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) of the athlete has been considered a benign finding. In some publications it has been associated with increased risk of sudden death. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of infero-lateral RP in a population of trained players, to describe variables associated with this pattern and investigate the occurrence of events in the follow up. ECG of players with a normal cardiovascular physical examination and without family and personal history of heart disease, were analyzed. RP was considered the J-point elevation = 0.1 mV over baseline in at least 2 inferior and / or lateral precordial leads, associated or not with positive deflection or notch in the end of the QRS. RP is related to the voltage of R in V5 or V6, the PR interval, heart rate (HR) and age. They were contacted at 60 ± 5 months after the initial assessment ECG.

chi square and t test for unpaired data. We evaluated ECG of 210 soccer players, of European-South American origin, with high intensity training. Age: 18 ± 4.6 years. The RP ECG was present in 86 (40.9%), including the lower subtype in 17 (8.1%). One ECG showed PR in lower face in isolation. RP footballers were older, with less FC, prolonged PR and lower voltage of R. None of the players presented cardiovascular events in a 5 years follow up after this evaluation.