Approach to Managing Premature Ventricular Complexes in Athletes

Nitin Kondamudi, Mustafa Husaini, Jordan M. Prutkin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose of review: Sudden cardiac death is a feared outcome in young athletes. In rare cases, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can be associated with underlying structural or genetic heart disease and reflect a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Given that PVCs are common among athletes and the potential risk associated with them, comprehensive evaluation should be performed without exposing athletes to excessive testing. Furthermore, athletes may necessitate treatment with medications or ablation to reduce symptoms and prevent PVC-associated cardiomyopathy. Recent findings: New diagnostic strategies have emerged to more effectively evaluate PVCs in athletes. Recent innovations in PVC ablation techniques may make ablation a more safe and durable strategy for reducing PVC burden. Summary: We recommend athletes with PVCs be risk-stratified according to prognostic factors. Risk assessment can inform the testing strategy. Athletes who are symptomatic or who have high PVC burden should undergo treatment with PVC ablation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)297-309
Number of pages13
JournalCurrent Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Volume25
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2023

Keywords

  • Athletes
  • Premature ventricular contractions
  • Sudden cardiac death

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