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Binge drinking does not result in acute increases in electrocardiographic abnormalities in healthy young adults
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  • Daniel Wundersitz WT,
  • Stefan Piantella,
  • Rowena Bicknell,
  • Aleshia Nanev,
  • Isabella Amato,
  • Kimberly Nolan,
  • Maarten Van Den Buuse,
  • Carl Lavie,
  • Voltaire Nadurata,
  • Bradley Wright J,
  • Michael Kingsley IC
Daniel Wundersitz WT
La Trobe University Rural Health School

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Stefan Piantella
La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
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Rowena Bicknell
La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
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Aleshia Nanev
La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
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Isabella Amato
La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
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Kimberly Nolan
Bendigo Health - Bendigo Hospital Campus
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Maarten Van Den Buuse
La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
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Carl Lavie
Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute
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Voltaire Nadurata
Bendigo Health - Bendigo Hospital Campus
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Bradley Wright J
La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
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Michael Kingsley IC
La Trobe University Rural Health School
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Abstract

Aims: Although alcohol consumption is proposed to trigger electrographic abnormalities, acute changes in arrythmias and conductance disturbances have not been systematically studied in young adults who are the age group most likely to binge drink. The aim of this study was to determine if changes in breath alcohol content (BrAC) during an acute binging episode influence electrographic abnormalities in young adults. Methods: Fifty-five university students (20.6±2.1 years of age), who were not regular users of alcohol, consumed 60% mixer and 40% vodka until 0.08% BrAC was reached (6.4±1.9 standard drinks). Five-lead Holter recordings were analysed by a blinded cardiac technician. Electrographic abnormalities were identified and classified according to location (supraventricular or ventricular) and type (arrhythmia or conduction disturbance). Results: Although heart rate was elevated with BrAC beyond 0.05% compared to 0.00%, no differences existed in the relative incidence of electrographic abnormalities by location or type. Logistic regression revealed that baseline electrographic abnormality significantly contributed to predicting electrographic abnormality in 0.00% to 0.05% (p=0.02) and 0.05% to 0.08% BrAC phases (p=0.01). Conclusions: Alcohol consumption, resulting in BrAC of 0.08%, increased heart rate after BrAC reached 0.05% but did not acutely influence the relative incidence of electrographic abnormality by location or type in apparently healthy young people. These results do not support the hypothesis that a binge drinking episode causes electrographic abnormalities in young adults.