Signs of RV overload on the athlete's ECG

Journal of Electrocardiology
Guido ClaessenHein Heidbuchel

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that regular intense endurance exercise can promote structural and electrical remodeling of the right ventricle (RV). These physiological changes can be profound and are frequently accompanied by ECG changes in the right precordial leads, thereby mimicking features observed in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Because the 12-lead ECG is used as both a screening and diagnostic tool for the detection of conditions associated with sudden death in athletes, it is of fundamental importance to have a good understanding of the ECG features that distinguish physiological adaptations to endurance exercise from those related to RV pathology as well as their potential overlap. This article describes ECG findings observed in healthy endurance athletes versus athletes with underlying RV pathology and illustrates their differentiation using 4 case presentations.

References

Jan 25, 2000·Circulation·B M PluimE E van der Wall
Mar 29, 2006·Heart Rhythm : the Official Journal of the Heart Rhythm Society·Craig D AinsworthAndrew D Krahn
Feb 17, 2009·International Journal of Cardiology·Jaspal S DuaA Graham Stuart
May 2, 2009·The American Journal of Cardiology·Alexandros Klavdios SteriotisAndrea Nava
Jun 26, 2009·The New England Journal of Medicine·Fabio TavoraAllen P Burke
Nov 26, 2009·European Heart Journal·Domenico CorradoUNKNOWN Section of Sports Cardiology, European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
Nov 19, 2010·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·André La GercheDavid L Prior
Nov 1, 2012·British Journal of Sports Medicine·Hein HeidbuchelAndré La Gerche
Jan 11, 2013·British Journal of Sports Medicine·Jonathan A DreznerMathew G Wilson
Jan 11, 2013·British Journal of Sports Medicine·Jonathan A DreznerMathew Wilson
Jul 3, 2013·British Journal of Sports Medicine·Maria BrosnanDavid Prior
Jul 3, 2013·Heart Rhythm : the Official Journal of the Heart Rhythm Society·Anneline S J M te RieleHugh Calkins
Dec 21, 2013·Journal of the American College of Cardiology·Gerald SimonneauRogiero Souza

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that can lead to muscular or electrical dysfunction of the heart. It is often an irreversible disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. There are different causes and classifications of cardiomyopathies. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to this disease.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is a congenital cardiomyopathy that is characterized by infiltration of adipose and fibrous tissue into the right ventricle wall and loss of myocardial cells. Primary injuries usually are at the free wall of the right ventricular and right atria resulting in ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Discover the latest research on arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia here.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.