Abstract P026: Early Repolarization Pattern is Associated With Increased Left Ventricular Mass and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Results From the Dallas Heart Study

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies have shown an association between early repolarization pattern (ERP) ECG morphology and sudden cardiac death. The role of left ventricular mass (LVM) as a potential mediator of ERP has not been well explored. Methods: Participants in the Dallas Heart Study who underwent an ECG and cardiac MRI (CMR) were assessed for ERP, defined as J-point elevation ≥1 mm in any 2 contiguous leads. We compared participants with and without ERP by age, gender, race/ethnicity, established cardiovascular risk factors of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, lean body mass and percent body fat, and CMR-derived LVM, LVM/body surface area, and LVH defined by standard criteria, using Student’s T-tests and chi-squared tests where appropriate. Results: Of the 3,015 participants in our study, 276 (9.2%) had ERP. Participants with ERP were younger (43±9 vs 44±10 yrs, p=0.04), more prevalent in blacks than non-blacks (14 vs 5.0%, p<0.00001), and in men than women (18 vs 2.0%, p<0.00001). Baseline cardiovascular risk factors were not significantly different. Participants with ERP demonstrated higher lean body mass (59±10 vs 52±11 kg, p<0.00001) and lower percent body fat (27±8 vs 36±9%, p<0.00001). The presence of ERP was associated with greater LVM, increased LVM/body surface area, and the presence of LVH in the overall population and in analyses stratified by sex (Table 1). Conclusion: In a large, multi-ethnic cohort, ERP is associated with increased total LVM, increased LVM/body surface area, and LVH. These novel associations may provide insight into the biology of ERP. Further studies investigating the relationship of LVM and LVH with ERP are warranted.