The Effect of Lower and Higher Calorie Meal on the Parameters of Ventricular Repolarization in Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular modulation following meal consumption has been known. Little and conflicting data is present regarding electrocardiographic QT and QTc intervals after a meal, and status of ventricular repolarization following meal is not known comprehensively. AIM: To inquire the electrocardiographic status of ventricular repolarisation thoroughly after lower and higher calorie meal consumption in a comparative manner. METHODS: A group of 61 healthy individuals were studied before and after lunch. They were divided into two groups according to the calorie consumed (higher calorie and lower calorie; median 1580 and 900 kcals, respectively). Calorie consumed was estimated using dietary guidelines. Data was collected from 12-lead ECG both in a fasted state and 2nd postprandial hour for each participant. Parameters of ventricular repolarization, namely, JTp, Tp-e, QT, QTc intervals and their ratios, as well as RR intervals, were compared between fasted and postprandial states for every participant. RESULTS: Tp-e and QTc intervals, and Tp-e/QTc ratio do not significantly change after both higher- and lower-calorie meals. JTp and QT intervals significantly shorten in both groups, regardless of the calorie consumed. While JTp shows a positive correlation with RR interval both before and after a meal in lower calorie intake group, no correlation was found with RR interval after a meal in higher calorie group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher calorie intake during a meal is a predictor for greater shortening in JTp and QT, compared to lower calorie meal. CONCLUSION: Our study may guide future studies on ventricular repolarisation, particularly those conducted on various disease conditions or drug effect of cardiac electrophysiology.