Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Electrocardiographic predictors of left ventricular scar in athletes with right bundle branch block premature ventricular beats
Authors' conclusion
In athletes with RBBB morphology non-sustained VAs, specific ECG abnormalities at 12-lead ECG can help in detecting subjects with NLVS at CMR.
Study context
- Population
- Athletes with non-sustained right bundle branch block (RBBB)-morphology ventricular arrhythmias undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium enhancement
- Participants
- 64 athletes
- Exposure
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) predictors of NLVS: NLVS positive vs NLVS negative athletes
- NLVS positiven = 36
- NLVS negativen = 28reference
- Outcome
- Clinical and ECG predictors of non-ischaemic LV scar (NLVS)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Diagnostic performance of 7-variable ECG score for NLVS
| Group | NLVS athletes identified | Sensitivity | Specificity | NLVS correctly identified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECG score ≥2 | 92% | 86% | 100% | |
| ECG score ≥1 | all patients (no false negatives) |
NLVS athletes identified
ECG score ≥292%
ECG score ≥1Not reported in the abstract
Sensitivity
ECG score ≥286%
ECG score ≥1Not reported in the abstract
Specificity
ECG score ≥2100%
ECG score ≥1Not reported in the abstract
NLVS correctly identified
ECG score ≥2Not reported in the abstract
ECG score ≥1all patients (no false negatives)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Family history of cardiomyopathy and seven ECG variables statistically more prevalent in NLVS positive
Original publication
Electrocardiographic predictors of left ventricular scar in athletes with right bundle branch block premature ventricular beats. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 10 January 2024. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it