Electrocardiogram in centenarians.

BACKGROUND

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in the very elderly have not yet been fully assessed.

AIM: To evaluate ECG recordings obtained from centenarians.

METHODS

ECG tracings recorded at place of residence of 35 subjects aged 100-112 years (mean 101.7 years) were examined using the Minnesota code.

RESULTS

Entirely normal ECG recordings were found in 5.7% of centenarians. The most frequently encountered abnormalities included leftward QRS axis deviation (45.7%), abnormal T wave morphology (42.9%), ST segment depression (34.3%), extrasystolic beats (28.6%), left anterior haemiblock (25.7%) and first degree atrio-ventricular block (17.1%). Other, less frequently present abnormalities, included Q wave or QS complex, atrial fibrillation, right or left bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy or low QRS voltage.

CONCLUSIONS

In the majority of centenarians ECG shows numerous but usually benign abnormalities. Only very few centenarians have entirely normal ECG.