Normal limits of the electrocardiogram in Nigerians

Background

There has been no large study of ECG measures derived by automated methods in an apparently healthy indigenous West African population.

Methods

ECGs were recorded from apparently healthy Nigerians and analysed using automated methods. Age and sex based normal ranges were then established.

Results

A total of 782 males and 479 females aged between 20 and 87 years were studied. Mean QRS duration in males was 87.9 ± 9.4 ms and 83.4 ± 7.6 ms in females (P < .0001). Mean QTc (Hodges) was 393 ± 16 ms in males and 406 ± 16 ms in females (P < .0001). The Cornell index (SV3 + RaVL) was higher in males and decreased with increasing age in males though the reverse was true in females (P < .0001). STj amplitude was lower in older compared to younger males and higher in males.

Conclusion

This is the first large study of automated ECG measurements from healthy blacks living in West Africa which allows the determination of ECG normal limits in such a population.