Introduction

Early repolarisation (ER) pattern is defined as a QRS-ST junction (J point) elevation of 0.1 mV in two adjacent leads with either a slurred or a notched morphology in surface electrocardiography. Although it was first considered a benign finding, recent studies have shown a correlation between idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and ER pattern. Objectives. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of ER and its different types in healthy Iranian subjects in the city of Yazd.

Material and methods

This was a cross-sectional study from a large cohort enrolling 2,704 healthy adults between 35–75 years of age. All participants underwent 12 lead standard ECGs. One cardiologist and one electrophysiologist interpreted the ECGs and defined the presence or absence of ER and different ER types.

Results

ER pattern was present in 43 subjects (1.6%). There was a significant male preponderance in the ER positive group (97.7%). The most prevalent types of early repolarisation according to electrocardiography pattern was type I (53.5%) in all age groups, followed by type IV (30.2%), type III (11.6%) and type II (4.7%).

Conclusions

Knowing ER prevalence, its different types and high-risk patterns in a special population will help physicians guide patients with incidental ER pattern in their electrocardiography.