Objective: To study, in the context of acute myocarditis (AM) in sportsmen, the association between the category of sport practiced and the severity of AM.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Single tertiary center.
Patients: 82 sportspeople (≥2.5 h of sport per week) who presented an AM.
Assessment of risk factors: The type of sport activity before AM were collected.
Main outcome measures: Complicated AM was defined by a left ventricular ejection fraction <50% or the use of inotropic drugs or ventricular assist device.
Results: Mean age was 29 ± 9 year-old, 77 (94%) were men. Sixteen (20%) had a complicated AM. Practicing sport over 6 h a week or a Mitchell's Class IIIA sport were associated with complicated AM (44 vs. 17%, p = 0.019 and 38 vs. 11%, p = 0.008, respectively). Practicing a Mitchell's Class IC sport was associated with uncomplicated AM (6 vs. 38%, p = 0.008).
Conclusion: In sportspeople's AM, the pattern of sport activity (static or dynamic component, practice intensity) is associated with the disease's severity.
Keywords: AM, Acute myocarditis; CMR, Cardiac magnetic resonance; IQR, Interquartile Range; LGE, late gadolinium enhancement; LVEF, Left ventricular ejection fraction; Mitchell’s Classification; Myocarditis; Sport.
© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.