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Early repolarization: an evolving concept for the past 70 years.
Luigi Biasco1, Yvonne Cristoforetti, Ole De Backer
1aDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medical Science, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy bThe Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine (Hagerstown, Md.)
|June 20, 2015
Summary
Early repolarization, once a common normal variant, is now recognized as a potential marker for sudden cardiac death risk. This review traces its evolving understanding and guides physician evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Early repolarization (ER) is a common electrocardiographic finding, historically viewed as a benign variant.
- Prevalence varies widely, from 5-13% in the general population to 20-90% in athletes.
Observation:
- Since the late 1990s, studies increasingly link ER patterns to elevated sudden death risk in seemingly healthy individuals.
- This has shifted the perception of ER from a normal variant to a potentially significant clinical indicator.
Findings:
- The review details the historical evolution of the concept of early repolarization.
- It synthesizes current research on ER's association with adverse cardiac events.
Implications:
- Physicians need updated guidance to evaluate individuals with early repolarization patterns.
- Accurate assessment of ER is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals and preventing sudden cardiac death.
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