The effect of altitude on P-wave and QT duration and dispersion
PACE-PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, vol.31, no.7, pp.889-892, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 31 Issue: 7
- Publication Date: 2008
- Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2008.01104.x
- Journal Name: PACE-PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.889-892
- Keywords: electrocardiogram, high altitude, P-wave and QT duration and dispersion, VECTORCARDIOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS, ELECTRICAL-ACTIVITY, HEALTHY-MEN, ALL-CAUSE, HEART, PREDICTION, MORTALITY, INTERVAL, INFANTS, BORN
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Short-term and long-term exposure to high altitude has been reported to change the surface electrocardiogram. We aimed to compare P-wave and QT parameters between healthy people living at high altitude and sea level.
Methods: Twelve-lead electrocardiographies of 38 healthy people living at sea level (Antalya,Turkey) and 38 healthy people living at high altitude (Van, Turkey; 1,700-1,800 m) were obtained. Minimum and maximum P-wave durations, P-wave dispersion, minimum and maximum corrected QT intervals, and corrected QT dispersion were calculated.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in respect to heart rate and QT variables. Mean Pminimum values were slightly but significantly lower in the high altitude group (P = 0.029). Mean Pmaximum values tended to be lower at high altitude but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.085). However, there was no significant difference in respect to P-wave dispersion values.
Conclusions: In a sample of men and women living at high altitude in Turkey, significant reduction of Pminimum and borderline reduction of Pmaximum duration, but no significant change of P-wave and QT dispersion, were observed.