The effect of altitude on P-wave and QT duration and dispersion.
BACKGROUND
Short-term and long-term exposure to high altitude has been reported to change the surface electrocardiogram. We aimed to compare P-wave and QT parameters between healthy people living at high altitude and sea level.


METHODS
Twelve-lead electrocardiographies of 38 healthy people living at sea level (Antalya,Turkey) and 38 healthy people living at high altitude (Van, Turkey; 1,700-1,800 m) were obtained. Minimum and maximum P-wave durations, P-wave dispersion, minimum and maximum corrected QT intervals, and corrected QT dispersion were calculated.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the two groups in respect to heart rate and QT variables. Mean Pminimum values were slightly but significantly lower in the high altitude group (P = 0.029). Mean Pmaximum values tended to be lower at high altitude but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.085). However, there was no significant difference in respect to P-wave dispersion values.


CONCLUSIONS
In a sample of men and women living at high altitude in Turkey, significant reduction of Pminimum and borderline reduction of Pmaximum duration, but no significant change of P-wave and QT dispersion, were observed.
Guntekin
Unal
U
Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Medicine, Cardiology Department, Van, Turkey. guntekinunal@hotmail.com
Gunes
Yilmaz
Y
Tuncer
Mustafa
M
Gumrukcuoglu
Hasan Ali
HA
Kaya
Yuksel
Y
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity