The Effect of Lower and Higher Calorie Meal on the Parameters of Ventricular Repolarization in Healthy Subjects

Cardiovascular modulation following meal consumption has been known. Little and conflicting data is present regarding electrocardiographic QT and QTc intervals after a meal, and status of ventricular repolarization following meal is not known comprehensively.

To inquire the electrocardiographic status of ventricular repolarisation thoroughly after lower and higher calorie meal consumption in a comparative manner.

A group of 61 healthy individuals were studied before and after lunch. They were divided into two groups according to the calorie consumed (higher calorie and lower calorie; median 1580 and 900 kcals, respectively). Calorie consumed was estimated using dietary guidelines. Data was collected from 12-lead ECG both in a fasted state and 2nd postprandial hour for each participant. Parameters of ventricular repolarization, namely, JTp, Tp-e, QT, QTc intervals and their ratios, as well as RR intervals, were compared between fasted and postprandial states for every participant.

Tp-e and QTc intervals, and Tp-e/QTc ratio do not significantly change after both higher- and lower-calorie meals. JTp and QT intervals significantly shorten in both groups, regardless of the calorie consumed. While JTp shows a positive correlation with RR interval both before and after a meal in lower calorie intake group, no correlation was found with RR interval after a meal in higher calorie group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher calorie intake during a meal is a predictor for greater shortening in JTp and QT, compared to lower calorie meal.

Our study may guide future studies on ventricular repolarisation, particularly those conducted on various disease conditions or drug effect of cardiac electrophysiology.