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Young athletes with ventricular premature beats: Continuing or not intense training and competition?
Author(s) -
Parisi A.,
Tranchita E.,
Minganti C.,
Sperandii F.,
Guerra E.,
Calò L.,
Borrione P.,
Pigozzi F.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12932
Subject(s) - medicine , athletes , cardiology , holter monitor , sudden cardiac death , population , competitive athletes , physical therapy , electrocardiography , environmental health
Isolated ventricular premature beats ( VPB s) are commonly found during pre‐participation screening in athletes. Currently, the debate about the role of detraining in reducing the number of VPB s is still open. This study evaluated the arrhythmic risk in a population of young competitive athletes who showed VPB s during eligibility evaluation and that did not undergo detraining but continued practicing competitive sports. 3746 consecutive subjects underwent pre‐participation screening. Athletes who showed VPB s were selected and underwent second level evaluation (Echocardiogram, 24 hour Holter ECG and Exercise test). Athletes were re‐evaluated after a follow‐up period (6‐48 months) while they continued practicing competitive sports. 5.3% of the whole population showed ventricular arrhythmias. 73% of the subjects showed isolated VPB s. 88% of the subjects showed monomorphic VPB s, and 12% of athletes showed polymorphic VPB s. At echocardiogram, there was not any pathology which contraindicated competitive sport activity. At 24 hour Holter ECG recording, mean number of daily VPB s was 1592±3217 (range 0‐16678). At holter ECG follow‐up (16±12 months), the median number of VPB s decreased from 93 ( IQR 20‐3065) to a new value of 72 ( IQR 2‐1299). Continuing competitive sport in subjects with ventricular arrhythmias even though frequent but with a low grade of complexity and without structural cardiomyopathy does not increase sudden death risk.