Article

Scarce data are available regarding the electrocardiographic (ECG)
and echocardiographic changes in athletes of Asian origin. DESIGN: We investigate
the ECG and echocardiographic patterns in Japanese (J) compared with
African-Caribbean (AC) and Caucasian (C) athletes. METHODS: A total of 282
professional soccer players (68 J, 96 AC and 118 C) matched for age, gender,
sport and level of achievement was examined. RESULTS: ECGs were without
alterations in 62% of J (versus 69% of C, p = non significant and 44% of AC, p <
0.001). The most common alterations in J were sinus bradycardia (69%), incomplete
right bundle branch block (RBBB; 43%), early repolarization (18%), isolated
increase in R/S-wave (10%), Q-waves (9%). Remarkably, no J athlete showed deeply
T-wave inversion, in contrast to 6% of AC (p < 0.05). Occasionally, J showed
J-point upward/domed ST-elevation with inverted/biphasic T-wave (6% versus 16.5%
in AC, p < 0.01). J demonstrated larger left ventricular (LV) cavity compared
with AC and C players
(55.2 +/- 3.3 versus 52.2 +/- 3.8 and 53.9 +/- 3.7 mm,
respectively, p < 0.01), with an important subset ( > 4%) presenting a markedly
enlarged cavity (>60 mm), in the presence of normal systolic/diastolic function
and no segmental abnormalities. Therefore, J showed a more eccentric remodelling
compared with AC and C (relative wall thickness:
0.31 +/- 0.05, 0.38 +/- 0.06 and
0.36 +/- 0.06, respectively,
p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: J players show the most
eccentric LV remodelling compared with C and AC players. In association, certain
training-related ECG patterns, i.e. sinus bradycardia and isolated increase in
R/S-wave voltage, are present in a larger proportion of J players than previously
described in C players. Conversely, no J athlete showed deeply T-wave inversion,
as commonly found in AC and occasionally in C.

Langue : ANGLAIS