ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The French military population is a young and athletic population with a high prevalence of early repolarization patterns (ERP) compared to the general population. Screening of military officers at risk of sudden death (SD) is a priority in military medical expertise. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of ERP and its evolution over a period of 5 years in a specific asymptomatic population, free of heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: From March to December 2008, we prospectively collected the electrocardiograms (ECGs) of military officers enlisted into the submarine forces of France. For 5 years (until 2012), the military officers included in the study underwent a clinical examination twice per year. A new ECG was carried out 5 years after the initial one. RESULTS: A total of 250 male subjects were included (mean age 22.87 ± 0.5 years). The prevalence of ERP was 19.2%. The most common appearance was an elevation of a slurring type J point (31/48 or 64.5%) in inferolateral leads (18/48 or 37.8%). After 5 years, the prevalence of ERP was identical to that of the previous period (19.2%) with no change in appearance, distribution, and amplitude in 47 subjects (97.9%). Repolarization changed in two patients (one occurrence of ERP and one disappearance). During the 5 years of follow-up, the subjects remained asymptomatic CONCLUSION: ERP is common in our population of young, athletic, and asymptomatic military officers and changes little in 5 years.