Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCross-sectional study
Prevalence and determinants of low QRS voltages and QRS fragmentation in children and adolescents undergoing sports pre-participation screening
- Cross-sectional study
- consecutive series
Authors' conclusion
Low QRS voltages in limb leads and FQRS in ≥2 contiguous leads excluding V1-V2 are rare in young apparently healthy athletes and are not related to the type and intensity of sport activity.
Study context
- Population
- Young apparently healthy athletes (7–18 years) undergoing sports pre-participation screening
- Participants
- 2,140 electrocardiogram (ECGs)
- Outcome
- Prevalence and determinants of low QRS voltages (<0.5 mV, limb leads) and QRS fragmentation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Low QRS voltages in limb leads
five (0.2%)
≥1 fragmented QRS complex
831 (39%)
FQRS in ≥2 contiguous leads, excluding rSr' in V1-V2
10 (0.5%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Maximum peak-to-peak QRS voltage in limb leads, by sex · significantly lower in females
P < 0.001
- Maximum peak-to-peak QRS voltage in limb leads, by sex — Overall maximum QRS voltage, similar between younger and older athletes
- 1.4 ± 0.4 mV
Determinants of QRS voltage
- Weak correlation with body mass index (BMI), none with type of sport or training load
Characteristics of athletes with FQRS
- Older than those without FQRS; no difference in gender, BMI, type of sport or training load
Original publication
Prevalence and determinants of low QRS voltages and QRS fragmentation in children and adolescents undergoing sports pre-participation screening. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 22 May 2024. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwae180
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it