Structural Heart Abnormalities Are Prevalent on the 12-Lead Electrocardiogram Among Firefighters.

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters in the US. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pathoanatomical substrates related to SCD in a cohort of firefighters over 9 years using 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG). Twelve-lead ECGs were collected from 2011-2019 as part of a health program. Measurements (eg, QRS duration) and interpretation statements (eg, left ventricular hypertrophy) were obtained using automated software (MUSE, GE Healthcare). Descriptive, comparative, and longitudinal analyses were performed ( P < 0.05). A total of 1041 firefighters (mean age = 47.1 ± 13.6) were screened, recording 3142 ECGs. Among the ECGs ( n = 465) used for this analysis, 42.6% ( n = 198) had conduction abnormalities and 14.2% ( n = 66) with coronary disease indicators. There were no time-dependent changes. Routine 12-lead ECGs among firefighters may help detect structural heart defects that may increase the risk of SCD.