Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) is a manifestation of various congenital and acquired cardiopulmonary disorders which may lead to premature morbidity and mortality. Physiological RVH is also reported among healthy athletes. European (ESC) guidelines define ECG markers of RVH in young athletes as “uncommon and training-unrelated,” warranting further investigation to exclude “pathological RV dilatation or hypertrophy.” Conversely, recent American guidelines state that evidence is lacking to support such a strategy. There have been no studies to correlate ECG markers of RVH with imaging data in young athletes.
Methods 214 asymptomatic, elite athletes underwent ECG and transthoracic echocardiography. Sensitivity and specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of published ECG criteria for RVH were assessed against echo findings (see Abstract 082 table 1). RV free wall thickness (RVWT) was measured in the subcostal plane as per ESC recommendations. RV end-diastolic area (RVEDA) was also calculated in each case.
Results Mean age was 21.4 years, 76.7% male. Mean RVWT was 3.8 mm (range 2–6 mm). Only 7/214 (3.3%) of athletes, all male, demonstrated RVH on echo (RVWT ≥6 mm). Inter- and intra-observer variability for RVWT measurements were 10% and 14% respectively. All ECG criteria for RVH had low sensitivity and PPV for echocardiographic RVH, although specificity and NPV were high. The Sokolow-Lyon voltage criterion for RVH (R(V1) + S(V5/6) >10.5 mm), which is specifically mentioned in the ESC guidelines, was seen in 14% of athletes. Mean RVEDA did not differ between athletes with RVH on ECG and those without (both groups 27.3 cm2, p=1.0).
Conclusions Published ECG criteria have an unacceptably low correlation with echo evidence of RVH, which is rare in athletes. Adherence to current ESC guidelines would result in a large number of additional investigations, with the potential for undue distress, disruption to training, and inappropriate resource utilisation. Our data support American guidance that RVH voltage criteria violations should not prompt further investigation, which may have significant implications for the burden of testing required after ECG screening of British athletes.
- Athlete's heart
- pre-participation screening
- right ventricular hypertrophy