Investigation and management of an athlete with ECG abnormalities on routine screening

Dr Michael Papadakis, Sports Cardiology Quiz Section Editor

08 Apr 2016

Prof. Sanjay Sharma , FESC

Dr. Rebecca Robinson

Dr. Mike Loosemore

Topic(s):

Risk Factors and Prevention

Prolonged QT interval in an elite young athlete

An 18-year-old Caucasian boxer was referred for specialist investigation after routine pre-participation screening revealed an abnormal ECG. At the time the athlete was in full training and participating in regular competitions. The athlete had been participating in competitive sport from a young age and weekly training included regular high-intensity training sessions. The athlete did not report any history of cardiovascular symptoms. There was no family history of premature sudden cardiac death, syncope or epilepsy. Clinical examination was unremarkable. Blood pressure was 128/72mmHg.

The 12-lead ECG is presented below.

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Note: The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the author and may not be accepted by others. While every attempt is made to keep the information up to date, there is always going to be a lag in updating information. The reader is encouraged to read this in conjunction with appropriate ESC Guidelines. The material on this page is for educational purposes and is not for use as a definitive management strategy in the care of patients. Quiz material in the site are only examples and do not guarantee outcomes from formal examinations.

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Notes to editor

Dr Rebecca Robinson, Specialty Registrar Sports and Exercise Medicine Sheffield Teaching Hospital,
Dr Mike Loosemore, Consultant in Sports and Exercise Medicine University College Hospital
Professor Sanjay Sharma, Professor of Inherited Cardiac Disease and Sports Cardiology, St George’s University of London