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.