Abstract

ARAYA A, Ma. Virginia et al. Characteristics of the electrocardiogram in subjects from Indian or Chinese descent living in Iquique, Chile. Rev Chil Cardiol [online]. 2009, vol.28, n.2, pp. 193-197. ISSN 0718-8560.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-85602009000200007.

Background: Immigration implies the adaptation to new life styles and these changes are more complicated when countries are far way as is the case between Chile and both India an China. It is uncertain whether the electrocardiographic differences between these populations reflect adaptation changes or are just differences in normal patterns for each population. Aim: to analyze characteristics of the electrocardiogram in subjects of Indian or Chinese descent living more than 2 years in Iquique, Chile. Method: We analyzed the heart rate (HR), PR interval, and QTc in 12 lead EKGs from subjects of Indian or Chinese descent. Results: 43 subjects (37.2% women), aged 39.5±13 years were included in the Chinese group (CHI); 41 subjects (48.8% women), aged 38.6±10 years were included in the Indian group (IND). 79.1% of EKGs in the CHI group were abnormal: incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB) was present in 55.8%, 11.6% had complete RBBB and 11.6% a prolonged QT. On the other hand 75.6% of subjects in the IND group had a normal EKG; abnormalities included incomplete RBBB in 14.6% and prolonged QT in 2%. Conclusion: A high percentage of subjects of Chinese descent living for more than 2 years in Iquique, Chile, exhibit electrocardiographic abnormalities, mainly RBBB. Further study is needed to elucidate whether genetic differences or adaptation to new conditions underlie these characteristics.

Keywords : immigration; electrocardiogram.