gms | German Medical Science

Energy drinks have been frequently used by sleepy drivers, athletes and students in recent years. They contain taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine and some B vitamins. Some components have been found to produce electrical and mechanical actions on cardiac muscle cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cardiac electrophysiological effect of energy drink on electrocardiogram (ECG).

Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers, older than 17 years of age, were included the study. People were excluded if they had a cardiac rhythm except sinus rhythm, history of atrial or ventricular arrhythmia, family history of premature sudden cardiac death and P-waves couldn’t be measured in at least eight ECG leads were excluded. After that a single dose (250cc) energy drink (Red Bull) were made to drink all participants. Two hours later second ECG was performed. All ECG’s were numbered and transferred to a personnel computer via a scanner. P wave durations were measured by two different persons (person A and person B) using for magnification of 400 times by Adobe Photoshop software. Longest P-wave (Pmax) and shortest P-wave (Pmin) durations was determined and P-wave dispersion (Pdisp) was calculated by subtracting the Pmax from the Pmin. Before and after drinking measurements and two different person’s measurements were compared.

Results: Pmax, Pmin and Pdisp are similar before and after drinking of Red Bull in measurements of Person A (102±8 versus100±12 p=0,505, 64±10 versus 64±8 p=0,863 and 37±7 versus 36±13 p= 0,755, respectively). Pmax, Pmin and Pdisp are similar before and after drinking of Red Bull in measurements of Person B (92±12 versus 91±12 p=0,649, 49±9 versus 52±9 p=0,287 and 43±13 versus 40±10 p= 0,309, respectively).

Conclusion: A single dose energy drink (Red Bull) doesn’t change heart rate, P wave duration and dispersion in healthy population.