Electromechanical delay by speckle-tracking echocardiography: A novel tool to distinguish between Brugada syndrome and isolated right bundle branch block.

Background: The electrocardiographic (ECG) definition of Brugada syndrome (BS) can be challenging because benign ECG abnormalities, such as right bundle branch block (RBBB), may mimic pathological ECG characteristics of BrS. However, although myocardial delay and deformation can be quantified by advanced imaging, it has not yet been used to differentiate between BrS and RBBB. The aim of this study was to characterize the electro-mechanical behavior of the heart of patients with type-1 BrS and isolated complete RBBB in order to differentiate these conditions.

The acute impact of an ultramarathon on right heart: A 12-lead ECG study.

Background: Some concerns exist about possible detrimental effects on cardiac function of ultra-endurance competitions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of an ultramarathon by comparing pre- and post-race 12-lead ECG features.

Methods: A total of 301 competitive athletes (mean age: 48 ± 9 years) running a 50-km ultramarathon were analyzed.