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Graziano F, Mastella G, Merkely B, Vago H, Corrado D, Zorzi A. Ventricular arrhythmias recorded on 12-lead ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring in healthy volunteer athletes and controls: what is common and what is not. Europace 2023; 25:euad255. [PMID: 37589170 PMCID: PMC10469403 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Premature ventricular beats (PVBs) in athletes are often benign, but sometimes they may be a sign of an underlying disease. We evaluated the prevalence, burden, and morphology of PVBs in healthy voluntary athletes and controls with the main purpose of defining if certain PVB patterns are 'common' and 'training related' and, as such, are more likely benign. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 433 healthy competitive athletes [median age 27 (18-43) years, 74% males] and 261 age- and sex-matched sedentary subjects who volunteered to undergo 12-lead 24 h ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring (24H ECG), with a training session in athletes. Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) were evaluated in terms of their number, complexity [i.e. couplet, triplet, or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT)], exercise inducibility, and morphology. Eighty-six percent of athletes and controls exhibited a total of ≤10 PVBs/24 h, and >90% did not show any couplets, triplets, or runs of NSVT > 3 beats. An higher number of PVBs correlated with increasing age (P < 0.01) but not with sex and level of training. The most frequent morphologies among the 36 athletes with >50 PVBs were the infundibular (44%) and fascicular (22%) ones. In a comparison between athletes and sedentary individuals, and male and female athletes, no statistically significant differences were found in PVBs morphologies. CONCLUSION The prevalence and complexity of VAs at 24H ECG did not differ between athletes and sedentary controls and were not related to the type and amount of sport or sex. Age was the only variable associated with an increased PVB burden. Thus, no PVB pattern in the athlete can be considered 'common' or 'training related'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Graziano
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Giulio Mastella
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar-Innere Medizin I, Technische Universität München, Munchen, Germany
| | - Bela Merkely
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hajnalka Vago
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
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Di Florio A, Fusi C, Anselmi F, Cavigli L, Focardi M, Cameli M, Felici A, Capitani M, Valente S, Bonifazi M, Zorzi A, Corrado D, Mondillo S, D'Ascenzi F. Clinical management of young competitive athletes with premature ventricular beats: A prospective cohort study. Int J Cardiol 2021; 330:59-64. [PMID: 33582199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Premature ventricular beats (PVBs) are not an unusual finding and their interpretation is sometimes challenging. Unfortunately, few data on the characteristics of PVBs that correlate with the risk of an underlying heart disease are available in athletes. OBJECTIVES The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of PVBs characteristics in competitive athletes. METHODS From a cohort of 1751 athletes evaluated at our sports cardiology centre, we enrolled 112 competitive athletes <40 years of age (mean age 21 ± 10 years) and with no known heart disease referred for PVBs. All athletes underwent physical examination, ECG, 12‑lead ambulatory ECG monitoring, exercise testing, and echocardiography. Further investigations including cardiac magnetic resonance were performed for abnormal findings at first-line evaluation or for specific PVBs characteristics. RESULTS The majority (79%) of athletes exhibited monomorphic PVBs with a fascicular or infundibular pattern (common morphologies). A definitive diagnosis of cardiac disease was reached in 26 athletes (23% of the entire population) and correlated with uncommon PVBs morphology (p < 0.001) and arrhythmia complexity (p < 0.001). The number of PVBs/24-h was lower in athletes with cardiac disease than in those with normal heart (p < 0.05). During the follow-up a spontaneous reduction of PVBs and no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS Infundibular and fascicular PVBs were the most common morphologies observed in athletes with ventricular arrhythmias referred for cardiological evaluation. Morphology and complexity of PVBs, but not their number, predicted the probability of an underlying disease. Athletes with PVBs and negative investigation showed a good prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Di Florio
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Fusi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Anselmi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Luna Cavigli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Marta Focardi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Matteo Cameli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Felici
- Sports Medicine Centre, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Siena, Italy
| | - Massimo Capitani
- Centre for Sports Medicine, National Health Service, Siena, Italy
| | - Serafina Valente
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Bonifazi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and NeuroScience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Sergio Mondillo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio D'Ascenzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy.
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Crescenzi C, Zorzi A, Vessella T, Martino A, Panattoni G, Cipriani A, De Lazzari M, Perazzolo Marra M, Fusco A, Sciarra L, Sperandii F, Guerra E, Tranchita E, Fossati C, Pigozzi F, Sarto P, Calò L, Corrado D. Predictors of Left Ventricular Scar Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Athletes With Apparently Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 10:e018206. [PMID: 33381977 PMCID: PMC7955495 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.018206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background In athletes with ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and otherwise unremarkable clinical findings, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may reveal concealed pathological substrates. The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate which VA characteristics predicted CMR abnormalities. Methods and Results We enrolled 251 consecutive competitive athletes (74% males, median age 25 [17‐39] years) who underwent CMR for evaluation of VA. We included athletes with >100 premature ventricular beats/24 h or ≥1 repetitive VA (couplets, triplets, or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia) on 12‐lead 24‐hour ambulatory ECG monitoring and negative family history, ECG, and echocardiogram. Features of VA that were evaluated included number, morphology, repetitivity, and response to exercise testing. Left‐ventricular late gadolinium‐enhancement was documented by CMR in 28 (11%) athletes, mostly (n=25) with a subepicardial/midmyocardial stria pattern. On 24‐hour ECG monitoring, premature ventricular beats with multiple morphologies or with right‐bundle‐branch‐block and intermediate/superior axis configuration were documented in 25 (89%) athletes with versus 58 (26%) without late gadolinium‐enhancement (P<0.001). More than 3300 premature ventricular beats were recorded in 4 (14%) athletes with versus 117 (53%) without positive CMR (P<0.001). At exercise testing, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia occurred at peak of exercise in 8 (29%) athletes with late gadolinium‐enhancement (polymorphic in 6/8, 75%) versus 17 athletes (8%) without late gadolinium‐enhancement (P=0.002), (P<0.0001). At multivariable analysis, all 3 parameters independently correlated with CMR abnormalities. Conclusions In athletes with apparently idiopathic VA, simple characteristics such as number and morphology of premature ventricular beats on 12‐lead 24‐hour ambulatory ECG monitoring and response to exercise testing predicted the presence of concealed myocardial abnormalities on CMR. These findings may help cost‐effective CMR prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health University of Padova Italy
| | | | | | | | - Alberto Cipriani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health University of Padova Italy
| | - Manuel De Lazzari
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health University of Padova Italy
| | - Martina Perazzolo Marra
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health University of Padova Italy
| | - Armando Fusco
- Department of Radiology Policlinico Casilino Rome Italy
| | - Luigi Sciarra
- Division of Cardiology Policlinico Casilino Rome Italy
| | - Fabio Sperandii
- Division of Cardiology Policlinico Casilino Rome Italy.,Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences University of Rome 'Foro Italico' Rome Italy
| | - Emanuele Guerra
- Division of Cardiology Policlinico Casilino Rome Italy.,Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences University of Rome 'Foro Italico' Rome Italy
| | - Eliana Tranchita
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences University of Rome 'Foro Italico' Rome Italy
| | - Chiara Fossati
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences University of Rome 'Foro Italico' Rome Italy
| | - Fabio Pigozzi
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences University of Rome 'Foro Italico' Rome Italy.,Villa Stuart Sport Clinic FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence Rome Italy
| | - Patrizio Sarto
- Center for Sports Medicine ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana Treviso Italy
| | - Leonardo Calò
- Division of Cardiology Policlinico Casilino Rome Italy.,Villa Stuart Sport Clinic FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence Rome Italy
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health University of Padova Italy
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Porcedda G, Brambilla A, Favilli S, Spaziani G, Mascia G, Giaccardi M. Frequent Ventricular Premature Beats in Children and Adolescents: Natural History and Relationship with Sport Activity in a Long-Term Follow-Up. Pediatr Cardiol 2020; 41:123-128. [PMID: 31712859 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-019-02233-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are frequently documented in children. To date, few studies report long-term follow-up in pediatric cohorts presenting with frequent PVCs. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical relevance and long-term outcomes of frequent PVCs (≥ 500/24 h) in a large pediatric cohort. From 1996 to 2016, we enrolled all consecutive patients evaluated at Anna Meyer Children Hospital for frequent PVCs. Symptomatic children were excluded together with those patients with known underlying heart diseases; thus, our final cohort of study included 103 patients (male 66%; mean age 11 ± 3.4 years), with a mean follow-up of 9.5 ± 5.5 years. All patients were submitted to complete non-invasive cardiologic evaluation. The mean number of PVCs at Holter Monitoring (HM) was 11,479 ± 13,147/24 h; couplets and/or triplets were observed in 5/103 (4.8%) cases; 3 patients (2.9%) presented runs of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). High-burden PVCs (> 30,000/24 h) was confirmed in 11/103 (10.6%) patients. During the follow-up, only five patients (4.8%) developed clinical symptoms (3 for palpitations, 1 myocardial dysfunction due to frequent PVCs and NTSV; 1 arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy); no deaths occurred. Basal PVCs were still present in 45/103 (43.7%) patients. Our data suggest that frequent PVCs may be addressed as a benign condition and should not preclude sport participation if not associated with cardiac malformations, heart dysfunction, or cardiomyopathy. This seems to be true also in presence of very frequent/high-burden PVCs. Otherwise, a careful follow-up is mandatory since sport eligibility should be reconsidered in case of onset of symptoms and/or ECG/echocardiographic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Porcedda
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, A. Meyer Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Alice Brambilla
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, A. Meyer Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Favilli
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, A. Meyer Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Gaia Spaziani
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, A. Meyer Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mascia
- Cardiology and Electrophysiology Unit, S. M. Nuova Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Marzia Giaccardi
- Cardiology and Electrophysiology Unit, S. M. Nuova Hospital, Florence, Italy
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