Ablation of frequent premature ventricular complex in an athlete

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015 Dec;25(6):876-9. doi: 10.1111/sms.12299. Epub 2014 Jul 22.

Abstract

Premature ventricular complex are common findings in the exam of many athletes. There is no extensive scientific evidence in the management of this situation particularly when associated with borderline contractile function of the left ventricle. In this case report, we present a 35-year-old asymptomatic healthy athlete with high incidence (over 10,000 beats in 24 h) of premature ventricular complex and left ventricular dilatation with dysfunction, which persisted after a resting period of 6 months without training. We performed radiofrequency ablation of the premature ventricular complex focus. After 1-year follow-up, he was asymptomatic without arrhythmia and the left ventricle normalized its size and function as shown by echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance.

Keywords: Premature ventricular complexes; athlete's heart; radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bicycling
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / complications
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / complications*
  • Ventricular Premature Complexes / complications
  • Ventricular Premature Complexes / surgery*