Comparison of Electrocardiographic Repolarization Patterns between Hypogonad Males and Normal Subjects

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a significant difference in repolarization on the surface ECG between men and women. The effect of testosterone on repolarization of myocardium may provide a basis for the physiological and pathophysiological importance of these distinctions between sexes. The purpose of this study is to compare the repolarization characteristics of surface ECG in patients with secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism to those of healthy men and women. METHODS: The study consisted of 45 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (study group) and age-, weight- and height-matched normal healthy men (n = 35) and women (n = 39) (control group). 12-lead ECG recordings were obtained and electronic calipers were used for measurements of ECG repolarization variables. ECG variables were compared with those of control groups. RESULTS: J point amplitude (0.12 +/- 0.07 vs 0.05 +/- 0.05 mV, respectively), T max (0.74 +/- 0.28 vs 0.60 +/- 0.27 mV, respectively), T wave area (81 +/- 36 vs 60 +/- 29 mVms, respectively) and T wave descending time (93 +/- 16 vs 85 +/- 15 ms, respectively) were significantly higher in healthy subjects than hypogonadal men. In comparison with those of healthy women, hypogonad males have higher J point (0.05 +/- 0.05 vs 0.02 +/- 0.02 mV), taller T wave (0.60 +/- 0.27 vs 0.34 +/- 0.13 mV), consequently less T wave area (60 +/- 29 vs 34 +/- 16 mVms), ascending (62 +/- 18 vs 53 +/- 11) and descending angle (67 +/- 17 vs 55 +/- 12). Corrected QT was not different among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone deprivation in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism attenuates J point, T wave peak, T wave area, and T wave descending time, but does not reach to the level of those in healthy women. Testosterone has no effect on QT interval in this group of age. Hormone replacement therapy of these patients will provide informative contribution.