Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Acute Effects of Low Doses of Red Wine on Cardiac Conduction and Repolarization in Young Healthy Subjects
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Early View 17 Sep 2009

Moderate to high blood concentrations of ethanol have been shown to yield acute changes in cardiac electrophysiological properties, but the effect of low concentrations have never been assessed. The role of concomitant changes in clinical variables or cardiac dimensions is also still unknown.

This study aimed at exploring the acute effects of low doses of ethanol, administered as Italian red wine, on conduction, depolarization, and repolarization electrocardiographic (ECG) intervals in a population of healthy subjects.

Low doses of red wine acutely slow cardiac conduction and prolong repolarization in normal individuals. These changes are poorly predictable. The potential arrhythmogenic impact of these effects is worthy of exploration.

Request Reprint E-Mail: pcballo@tin.it

__________________________________________________________________________
at