Possibilities in the Prediction of Cardiac Arrhythmias and Conductivity Disorders in Former Athletes

AbstractA retrospective analysis of medical records of 39 former male athletes with cardiovascular complaints (mean age 61.6 ± 11.3 years, mean duration of career in sports 23.9 ± 17.3 years, mean duration of the postathletic period 20.1 ± 9.9 years) was carried out in order to analyze the relationship between the athletic qualifications and cardiac arrhythmias and conductivity disorders in former athletes. The patient s were screened for cardiac arrhythmias and conductivity disorders and underwent echocardiography. The overall prevalence of sustained paroxysms of atrial fibrillation was 42%; it increased with athletic qualifications. Ryan’s grade 4b–5 premature ventricular contractions were found in 14% of patients. Three parameters were found to be independent predictors of arrhythmias in former athletes: athletic qualifications, multifocal atherosclerosis (as an antirisk factor), and age. The coefficient of determination for the created pr ognostic model reached 43%. An algorithm was proposed to screen for rhythm disorders in former athletes based on clinical data. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the algorithm.
Source: Advances in Gerontology - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research