title: T-wave inversions and the role of de-training in the differentiation of athlete's heart from pathology: is 6 months too long?
abstract: Electrocardiographic changes are common in athletes. Differentiation of a physiological from a pathological substrate is important as ECG changes may indicate underlying cardiac disease placing the athlete at increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Deep T-wave inversions are uncommon in Caucasian athletes however; appear more prevalent in black athletes. Irrespective of the ethnic origin of the athlete, deep T-wave inversions require thorough follow-up. At present, 6 months de-training is recommended to assist in the differentiation of physiologic and pathologic changes where a definitive diagnosis is elusive through standard diagnostic techniques. This case study examines findings from a black and a Caucasian athlete presenting with deep T-wave inversions following a brief (ca.3 week) period of de-training resulting in normalisation of T-wave. These cases suggest that a shorter period of time may be sufficient in differentiating physiological from pathological mechanisms for deep T-wave inversions.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. gregwhyte27@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Somauroo
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013575:Syncope / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult