Menstrual Cycle and ST Height

Overview

Journal Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2004 Apr 16

PMID 15084208

Citations 12

Authors

Susanne Endres

Kenneth A Mayuga

Alessandro de Cristofaro

Taresh Taneja

Jeffrey J Goldberger

Alan H Kadish

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Sex hormones and menstrual cycle effects on ST height have not yet been clearly identified.

Methods: Twenty-two young, healthy women (aged 22-32 years) were included in this study. Twelve-lead ECGs were registered during menses, follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle at baseline, and after double autonomic blockade (DAB). Chest leads V2-V4 and limb leads I and II were chosen for analysis. ST height was measured manually at J-Point and 40 ms after the J-Point, and values were corrected for QRS amplitude (J-Point/QRS, 40 ms/QRS). Repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze differences in ST height among the three phases of the menstrual cycle. A P-value < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: At baseline, ST height, QTc, and T wave amplitude were not significantly different among the three phases of the menstrual cycle. After double autonomic blockade, ST height at 40 ms, J-Point/QRS, and 40 ms/QRS was significantly higher during follicular versus luteal phase (0.152 +/- 0.413 mm versus -0.007 +/- 0.427 mm, P = 0.0059 at 40 ms; -0.001 +/- 0.030 versus -0.015 +/- 0.032, P = 0.0039 at J-Point/QRS; 0.013 +/- 0.031 versus -0.004 +/- 0.032, P = 0.0005 at 40 ms/QRS) as was the QTc. ST height differences at J-Point were not significantly different (-0.046 +/- 0.395 mm follicular, -0.167 +/- 0.448 mm luteal, and -0.083 +/- 0.492 mm menses, P = 0.1014).

Conclusion: ST height and QTc varied among the three phases of the menstrual cycle, predominantly after double autonomic blockade. Female sex hormones that vary throughout the menstrual cycle may modulate measures of repolarization.

Citing Articles

Three-Dimensional-Derived Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Structure and Function and Indices from the 12-Lead Electrocardiogram across the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Physically Active Females: An Exploratory Study.

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Sex differences in heart: from basics to clinics.

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QTc prolongation in adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication.

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The Effects of Different Hormones on Supraventricular and Ventricular Premature Contractions in Healthy Premenopausal Women.

Tsougos E, Korakas E, Kolovos V, Koliou G, Papageorgiou G, Kountouri A Medicina (Kaunas). 2021; 57(11).

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Sexual Dimorphisms, Anti-Hormonal Therapy and Cardiac Arrhythmias.

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