TITLE:
Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in High-Level Athletes in Brazzaville: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Christian Michel Kouala Landa, Solange Flore Mongo Ngamami, Rosine Chris Melia Manzika Dzoussi, Rogue Pattern Bakekolo, Eric Gibrel Kimbally-Kaky, Kivie Mou-Moue Ngolo Letomo, Franck Yannis Kouikani, Bertrand Fikahem Ellenga-Mbolla
KEYWORDS:
Athlete’s Heart, Electrocardiography, Sudden Cardiac Death, Africa, Sports Medicine
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.15 No.10,
October
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: The athlete’s heart presents specific electrocardiographic adaptations that must be distinguished from pathological abnormalities to prevent sudden cardiac death. In Africa, specific challenges related to sports health require adapted screening protocols. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with electrocardiographic abnormalities in high-level athletes in Brazzaville. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from April to August 2019 at the Brazzaville sports medical center. Athletes aged 12 - 35 years with ≥6 hours weekly training were included. ECGs were interpreted according to ESC 2018 criteria, classifying abnormalities as physiological, borderline, or pathological. Results: Among 436 athletes (76.6% male, mean age 21.6 ± 5.1 years), ECG abnormalities were found in 87.6%: physiological (56.2%), borderline (7.8%), and pathological (23.6%). Male sex (ORa 4.4, 95% CI: 2.3 - 8.6) and endurance sports were significantly associated with abnormalities. Conclusion: he high prevalence of pathological abnormalities (23.6%) justifies reinforced cardiovascular screening in African athletes. ECG remains essential for preventing sudden cardiac death in this population.