Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Early Repolarization in Athletes: A Systematic Review

Early repolarization (ER) is an electrocardiographic pattern characterized by J-point and ST-segment elevation, frequently observed in athletes. Initially deemed benign, recent studies suggest a possible association between ER and increased risks of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, necessitating a thorough examination of its clinical implications in athletes. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed) and EMBASE databases, focusing on articles related to ER in athletes. Search terms included "early repolarization," and relevant studies were selected based on their focus on athletic populations. A total of 22 articles were included for detailed analysis. The review encompassed 22 studies with a combined total of 44,326 athletes, revealing an overall mean ER prevalence of 31.6 ± 17.6 (p