Différences ethniques de l’électrocardiogramme entre une population de noirs africains et de blancs européens âgés de moins de 35 ans

Abstract

Few studies have reported racial differences of electrocardiogram. To compare clinical and electrocardiographic parameters of black African and white European young adults. Students from Cameroon (black group) and France (white group) were recruited (ratio 2/1). Resting ECG was recorded in supine position using a numerical electrocardiograph. Participants underwent demographic, clinical and ECG measurements. We included 162 black and 81 white students (68% female), mean age 24±3 years. Longest QRS duration, sinus bradycardia, right bundle branch block and slurred pattern of repolarization were more common in whites (P<0.05) while longest PR interval (P<0.05), QRS microvoltage and positive T wave in lead V1 were more common in blacks (P<0.001). Most of ECG patterns are similar in these black and white individuals; particularly repolarization features. Positive T wave in V1 lead and isolated R wave microvoltage in aVL lead are predominant in blacks whereas slurring variant of early repolarization is more frequent in whites.