Physiol. Res. 49: 285-287, 2000

RAPID COMMUNICATION


Periodicity of Arrhythmias in Healthy Elderly Men at the Moderate Altitude

Š. Kujaník, M. Sninčák1, J.VokáĽ, J. Podracký2, J. Koval3

Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Šafárik University, 1Department of Internal Diseases, Military Aviation Hospital, 2Department of Functional Diagnostics and 3Otorhinolaryngological Clinics, Faculty Hospital with Policlinics, Košice, Slovak Republic

Received July 13, 1999
Accepted October 26, 1999


Summary
The 24-hour periodicity of supraventricular (SVPB) and ventricular (VEB) extrasystoles in healthy elderly men (age 49-69 years) was studied at two altitudes during 24 h Holter ECG monitoring. At the low altitude (200 m, n = 26), SVPB were more frequent than VEB. The highest occurrence of SVPB was at 17:00 h, the lowest at 01:00 and 02:00 h (P<0.001). The highest occurrence of VEB was at 09:00 h, the lowest one at 04:00 h (P<0.001). At 1350 m (n=9) the incidence of both SVPB and VEB was approximately twofold higher compared to that at the low altitude (P<0.001). The highest occurrence of SVPB was at 13:00 h, the lowest at 06:00 h (P<0.001). VEB were the most frequent at 10:00 h and 13:00 h, while the lowest frequency was observed at 06:00 h (P<0.001). Our results indicate that the incidence of SVPB and VEB in healthy persons at the moderate altitude is twofold and its periodicity is shifted compared to the low altitude. The cause of increased occurrence of extrasystoles is probably due to β-adrenergic activation of the heart at the higher altitude.


Key words
Electrocardiography · Cardiac arrhythmias · Holter ECG monitoring · Biological rhythm · Altitude

Reprint requests
Š. Kujaník, Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty. Šafárik University, Tr. SNP 1, 040 66 Košice, Slovak Republic. e-mail: kujanik@central.medic.upjs.sk


© 2000 by the Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences