Evolution of Early Repolarization Patterns after 5 Years in a Military Population at Low Cardiovascular Risk and Practical Implications in Military Medical Expertise.
BACKGROUND
The French military population is a young and athletic population with a high prevalence of early repolarization patterns (ERP) compared to the general population. Screening of military officers at risk of sudden death (SD) is a priority in military medical expertise. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of ERP and its evolution over a period of 5 years in a specific asymptomatic population, free of heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors.


METHODS
From March to December 2008, we prospectively collected the electrocardiograms (ECGs) of military officers enlisted into the submarine forces of France. For 5 years (until 2012), the military officers included in the study underwent a clinical examination twice per year. A new ECG was carried out 5 years after the initial one.


RESULTS
A total of 250 male subjects were included (mean age 22.87 ± 0.5 years). The prevalence of ERP was 19.2%. The most common appearance was an elevation of a slurring type J point (31/48 or 64.5%) in inferolateral leads (18/48 or 37.8%). After 5 years, the prevalence of ERP was identical to that of the previous period (19.2%) with no change in appearance, distribution, and amplitude in 47 subjects (97.9%). Repolarization changed in two patients (one occurrence of ERP and one disappearance). During the 5 years of follow-up, the subjects remained asymptomatic


CONCLUSIONS
ERP is common in our population of young, athletic, and asymptomatic military officers and changes little in 5 years.
Department of Cardiology, "Clermont Tonnerre" Hospital of Military Training, Brest, France.
Ulric
U
Vinsonneau
Department of Cardiology, "Clermont Tonnerre" Hospital of Military Training, Brest, France.
Vanida
V
Pangnarind-Heinz
Department of Cardiology, "Clermont Tonnerre" Hospital of Military Training, Brest, France.
Nicolas
N
Paleiron
Department of Cardiology, "Clermont Tonnerre" Hospital of Military Training, Brest, France.
Louis Marie
LM
Heinz
Department of Cardiology, "Clermont Tonnerre" Hospital of Military Training, Brest, France.
Guenole
G
Rohel
Department of Cardiology, "Clermont Tonnerre" Hospital of Military Training, Brest, France.
Marie
M
Piquemal
Department of Cardiology, "La Cavale Blanche" University Hospital Center, Brest, France.
Philippe
P
Castellant
Department of Cardiology, "La Cavale Blanche" University Hospital Center, Brest, France.
Jerome
J
Abalea
Department of Cardiology, "La Cavale Blanche" University Hospital Center, Brest, France.
Jacques
J
Mansourati
Department of Cardiology, "Clermont Tonnerre" Hospital of Military Training, Brest, France.
Philippe
P
Paule
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D053840:Brugada Syndrome; D000075224:Cardiac Conduction System Disease; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013366:Submarine Medicine / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
early repolarization; sudden death; young subjects