Cardiac arrhythmias and the athlete

The diagnostic efficiency of artificial intelligence based 2 hours Holter monitoring in premature ventricular and supraventricular contractions detection

BACKGROUND

Electrocardiography (ECG) and 24 hours Holter monitoring (24 h-Holter) provided valuable information for premature ventricular and supraventricular contractions (PVC and PSVC). Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) based 2 hours single-lead Holter (2 h-Holter) monitoring may provide an improved strategy for PSVC/PVC diagnosis.

HYPOTHESIS

AI combined with single-lead Holter monitoring improves PSVC/PVC detection.

METHODS

In total, 170 patients were enrolled between August 2022 and 2023. All patients wore both devices simultaneously; then, we compared diagnostic efficiency, including the sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive-value (PPV) and negative predictive-value (NPV) in detecting PSVC/PVC by 24 h-Holter and 2 h-Holter.

RESULTS

The PPV and NPV in patients underwent 2 h-Holter were 76.00%/87.50% and 96.35%/98.55, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity were 79.17%/91.30%, and 95.65%/97.84% in PSVC/PVC detection compared with 24 h-Holter. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) for PSVC and PVC were 0.885 and 0.741, respectively (p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The potential advantages of the 2 h-Holter were shortened wearing period, improved convenience, and excellent consistency of diagnosis.

Correlation between physical activity, aerobic fitness and body fat against autonomic function profile in children

AIM

To evaluate correlations between physical activity, VO2PEAK and body fat versus autonomic function in children.

METHODS

Children (n = 98) between 10 and 12 years underwent a maximal exercise test (VO2PEAK) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured body fat. General physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity and vigorous physical activity were assessed by accelerometers. Deep breath test with E/I-ratio calculation and a head-up tilt test were performed. The sum of z-scores represented an index score for autonomic function profile and included E/I-ratio plus difference in blood pressure and heart rate between supine and tilted position. Correlation analyses were performed between physical activity parameters, body fat and VO2PEAK versus autonomic function profile.

RESULTS

No significant correlations were found between autonomic function profile and physical activity or body fat (p > 0.05). VO2PEAK was correlated with autonomic function profile in boys (r = 0.30, p < 0.05), but not in girls (r = 0.04, NS). One girl and eight boys terminated head-up tilt test prematurely due to intolerance. Minutes of vigorous physical activity per day was lower in these boys compared with those (n = 48) who completed the head-up tilt test (5.1 ± 3.3 vs. 10.4 ± 6.6, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Physical activity or body fat was not associated with autonomic function profile. VO2PEAK correlated to autonomic function profile in boys.

Mortality of French participants in the Tour de France (1947-2012)

AIMS

In the context of recent concerns regarding performance enhancing techniques and potential negative health effects of high-level physical activity, data on the long-term outcomes and causes of death in elite endurance cyclists are of particular interest.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Characteristics and vital status of all French participants in the Tour de France were collected for the 1947-2012 period. Causes of death were obtained from 1968. Overall and disease-specific mortalities were compared with the French male population using overall and specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among the 786 French cyclists who participated at least once between 1947 and 2012, 208 (26%) died by 1 September 2012. Neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases accounted for 61% of deaths. We observed a 41% lower mortality in French cyclists (SMR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.51-0.68, P < 0.0001), which did not change over time (P = 0.70). It was observed for main mortality causes: for neoplasms (SMR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.42-0.72, P < 0.0001) and for cardiovascular death (SMR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.50-0.88, P = 0.004), except mortality related to external causes (SMR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.71-1.53, P = 0.80).

CONCLUSION

We observed a substantially and significantly lower mortality in participants in the Tour de France, compared with the general male population. However, our results do not allow us to assess in detail the balance between positive effects of high-level sports activity and selection of healthy elite athletes, vs. any potential deleterious effects of excessive physical exercise or alleged doping.

Athletes and arrhythmias

Athletes are thought the healthiest segment of the population. Yet, there is a general appearance that athletes are more prone to sudden cardiac death and arrhythmias than nonathletes. Bradycardias in athletes are nearly universal, but advanced heart block is usually pathologic. Athletes may be more prone to atrial fibrillation, but not likely to other types of supraventricular tachycardias. Sudden cardiac death in athletes is rare in the absence of heart disease, with the exception of commotio cordis. Treatment strategies for athletes are focused for the return to athletics. Guidelines for treatment will be derived from the 36th Bethesda Guidelines for athletes, and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for athletes.

The assessment and management of arrhythmias and syncope in the athlete

In recent years the media have reported on the unexpected deaths of prominent athletes and highlighted the sudden cardiac death syndrome. In some cases, there may have been no preceding symptoms to alert coaches or physicians of the impending event. Although sudden cardiac death is rare, there are a number of clinical syndromes that can be diagnosed by careful screening of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic athletes. In many of these conditions, appropriate intervention can substantially reduce the risk of death. Cardiac arrhythmia and syncope are particularly important symptoms in athletes and may be the initial manifestations of a potentially lethal condition. In this article we pay specific attention to assessing the cardiac risk of athletes presenting with these symptoms.