Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Classification of Premature Ventricular Contractions in Athletes During Routine Preparticipation Exams
Authors' conclusion
There is a low prevalence of PVCs on routine ECG screening of young athletes, and most PVCs are of benign morphology in this population.
Study context
- Population
- Athletes aged 14 to 35 years screened with ECG during preparticipation exams, 2014–2021
- Participants
- 10,728 screened athletes
- Outcome
- Prevalence and morphology of incidental PVCs (benign vs nonbenign)
Methodological detailsmass screenings in schools and professional sports teams, Retrospective analysis of digital ECGs with simultaneous display of frontal (limb) and horizontal (precordial) plane leads; Premature ventricular contraction (PVCs) categorized as benign or nonbenign by recommended criteria
- Mass screenings in schools and professional sports teams
- Retrospective analysis of digital ECGs with simultaneous display of frontal (limb) and horizontal (precordial) plane leads; PVCs categorized as benign or nonbenign by recommended criteria
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Athletes with ≥1 PVC
- 26 (0.24%)
- Left bundle branch block pattern
- 19 of 26 (73%)
- Right bundle branch block pattern
- 7 (27%)
- Benign PVC patterns
- 24 (96%)
- Right ventricular outflow tract morphology
- 18
- Left anterior fascicle morphology
- 5
- Left posterior fascicle morphology
- 2
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Demographics of athletes with PVCs
- Female
- 50%
- White
- 65%
- Asian
- 8%
- Hispanic
- 4%
- Black
- 23%
Original publication
Classification of Premature Ventricular Contractions in Athletes During Routine Preparticipation Exams. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. Published 28 August 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →