[Analysis of right electrocardiographic leads in 195 normal subjects].

The aim of the present study was to analyse age-related differences in the morphology of QRS complex and ST-T segment of right-sided chest ECG leads (V3R-V6R) in normal subjects.One hundred ninety-five subjects evaluated for competitive sport training were divided into 2 groups according to age: group A (18-35 years) 77 subjects; group B (36-65 years) 118 subjects. All subjects underwent a complete clinical examination, conventional 12-lead ECG with right-sided chest leads, spirometric tests, a maximal stress-test (Bruce protocol), and a cardiac ultrasound study. None had signs or symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease nor of thoracic abnormalities, and all had normal standard ECGs.An rS morphology in V3R-V4R was observed in 92\%-84\% and 92\%-81\% of subjects in groups A and B, respectively (p = NS). The QS morphology in V6R was observed in 15\% of subjects in group A and in 11\% in group B (p = NS). Negative T-waves in V6R were more often observed in group A than B (94\% vs 85\%, p < 0.03). Isoelectric T-waves in V3R were found in 10\% of subjects in group A and 21\% in group B (p < 0.04). The amplitude of R-wave was always higher in group A (p < 0.01). An upsloping ST-T segment (0.5-1 mm) was observed only in V3R-V4R, with a prevalence of 23\% in group A and 13\% in group B in V3R (p < 0.05).No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups as to QRS complex of the right-sided ECG leads. A QS morphology may be observed even in normal subjects. The polarity of T-wave is quite variable, but in V6R it is most often negative among young people. Elevation of ST-T segment may be observed only in V3R and V4R, and more often in young subjects in the former lead

Clinical efficacy and preventive role of the preparticipation physical examination in Italy

Résultats d'une étude nationale sur 32652 athlètes éxaminés à l'unité de médecine du sport italienn

Blood pressure and sodium intake from snacks in adolescents

Background/Objectives:The relationship between sodium intake and arterial blood pressure (BP) values in adolescence is still controversial. The intake of high-sodium processed foods as snacks has gone up worldwide. The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to analyze the association between BP values and sodium intake from snacks.Subjects/Methods:The mean weekly consumption of snacks was evaluated in 1200 randomly selected adolescents aged 11-13 years by a food-frequency questionnaire; their anthropometric and BP values were measured by trained researchers. A dietary 24-h food-recall questionnaire was randomly given to 400 of the 1200 adolescents.Results:Mean sodium intake from snacks was 1.4 g/day. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP, respectively) significantly increased from the lower to the higher tertile of sodium from snacks and with increasing frequency of salty snacks consumption. In a multiple logistic regression model, both being in the highest SBP quartile and in the highest DBP quartile were significantly associated with the intake of sodium from snacks (odds ratio (OR)=1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-1.91 and OR=2.17; 95% CI 1.68-2.79, respectively), the consumption of >2/day salty snacks (OR=1.86; 95% CI 1.32-2.63 and OR=2.38; 95% CI 1.69-3.37, respectively) and body mass index (OR=1.26; 95% CI 1.22-1.31 and OR=1.14; 95% CI 1.10-1.18, respectively) but not with age, sex or exercise levels. In the 400 individuals, the average total sodium intake was 3.1 g/day and was significantly higher in individuals belonging to the highest quartile of SBP and DBP.Conclusions:Sodium intake from snacks was almost half of the average daily sodium consumption and was significantly associated with BP values in adolescents

Clinical efficacy and preventive role of the pre-perticipation physical examination in Italy

The medical supervision of athletes is a primary lask of the sports medicine; a basic tool to accomplish this is the pre-participation physical examination (PPE). The purpose ol the PPE as conducted in ltaly in order to give specific sports etigibility (VIMeS, Visita di ldoneita Medico Sportiva) is not to disgualify unfit individuals from practicing sport, but rather to ensure that subjects predis- posed to or affected by a disease can practice sports safely. ln the present study we evaluated factors predisposing to disease and determined which diseas- es, while not necessarily inducing to non-eligibility for sports activities, may be revealed by the VlMeS. Variables included medical history, anthropometric and functional characteristics (height, weight, body mass index, heart rate, blood pressuie). A total of 32. 652 athletes (8O% males, 20% females) undenwent a physical examination and diagnostic procedures (EcG, spirometry, urine tests, etc.) according to the ltalian PPE {VlMeS}protocol at the 19 $port Medicine operative Units associated with the ltalian Federation of Sports Medicine (FMSI). The results showed that the VlMeS, as conducted according to the compulsory protocol (including examination by a sports medicine specialist, ECG, spirometry, etc.), was able to detect a not insignificant percentage of subjects unfit for sports (1-3%} and, more importantly, in high- lighting: A) the presence of many risk factors such as smoking (0.8 % of suhjects 11 - I5 years old and 27.4 % of thosÉ 26-30 years old) and alcohol consumption {1 1.7%); B) the presence of pos- itive family history for diseases {errdocrine-metabolic disorders [61.8 %], vascular disorders 16.7%], cardiac disorder (12.8%); C] a relevant proportion of disorders diagnosed at the VIMeS (20.8%). This subjects were subsequently referred to approrpiate therapy and /or monitoring programs. Taken together this study sows that the VIM eS is an effective folter for health care , epidemiology and prevention