Correlates of j point elevation in male professional football players

Background: The influences of structural changes of the athlete's heart in J point elevation are debated. Aim: To report the prevalence of J point elevation, its clinical, ECG and echocardiographic correlates in elite professional football players. Methods: All clinical, ECG, cardiopulmonary exercise test and echocardiographic data from 235 male professional football players were analyzed. J point elevation was defined as an elevation ≥ 1 mm in at least two contiguous leads. Results: 147 athletes showed isoelectric J point (ISO J group) while 88 showed J point elevation (ELE J group: 20 in anterior, 31 in lateral, 13 in inferior leads, while diffuse in 24). At univariate analysis black race, interventricular septum thickness, lower heart rate and Sokolow Lyon index resulted associated with J point elevation. The multivariable analysis (binary logistic regression stepwise) confirmed the association with lower heart rate (OR 0,968 95% CI 0,945- 0,993; p=0,011), increased interventricular septum thickness (OR 1,224 95% CI 1,014-1,478; p=0,036) and increased Sokolow Lyon index (OR 1,031 95% CI 1,002-1,060, p=0,033). Conclusions: The correlation between J point elevation and increased interventricular septum thickness supports a possible role for exercise induced left ventricular hypertrophy as a structural basis for the electrocardiographic evidence of J point elevation.