Cross-sectional analysis of electrocardiograms in a large heterogeneous cohort of Friedreich ataxia subjects

J Child Neurol. 2012 Sep;27(9):1187-92. doi: 10.1177/0883073812448461. Epub 2012 Jun 29.

Abstract

Electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in Friedreich ataxia and their relation to disease characteristics have not been well described. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the authors reviewed baseline ECGs from 239 children and adults with Friedreich ataxia. ECG abnormalities--assessed in relation to participant age, sex, shorter guanine-adenine-adenine triplet repeat length, age of disease onset, and functional disability score--were found in 90% of subjects, including nonspecific ST-T wave changes (53%), right axis deviation (32%), left ventricular hypertrophy (19%), and right ventricular hypertrophy (13%). Female sex and shorter guanine-adenine-adenine repeat lengths were associated with a normal ECG (P = .004 and P = .003). Males and those of younger age were more likely to show ventricular hypertrophy (P = .006 and P = .026 for left ventricular hypertrophy and P < .001 and P = .001 for right). Neurologic status as measured by the functional disability score did not predict ECG abnormalities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cardiomegaly / diagnosis
  • Cardiomegaly / etiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Friedreich Ataxia / complications*
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Heart Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult