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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to find a relationship between ECG fish-hook sign and echocardiographic variables in football athletes. Background Early repolarization is a common finding among athletes. The notched or irregular J point is known as the fish-hook sign, and it is a pattern of early repolarization. Patients and methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted using 61, male football players who were recruited during precompetition medical assessments in June 2016. The study was carried out at the medical clinics of two sports clubs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Standard 12-lead resting ECG and two-dimensional echocardiography were performed for all participants. Results The mean age was 25.7 ± 4.47, the mean body surface area was 1.86 ± 0.11 cm2, the mean corrected QT interval was 408.7 ± 22.12 ms, the main left ventricular (LV) mass index was 104.9 ± 18.5 g/m2, and the main LV ejection fraction was 59.9 ± 4.53%. The fish-hook sign was present in 32 (52.4%) athletes. The presence of a fish-hook sign was not statistically different with respect to age, body surface area, QRS duration, corrected QT interval, and LV hypertrophy. Athletes with a fish-hook sign had higher early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E') and lower E/E' compared with athletes who had no fish-hook sign (P < 0.05). Conclusion Athletes with a fish-hook sign had higher peak early diastolic mitral annular (E') velocity and lower E/E' compared with athletes who had no fish-hook sign.

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