Sudden improvement in ventricular repolarization abnormality after a short detraining period in an athlete

Cardiol Young. 2017 Nov;27(9):1849-1852. doi: 10.1017/S1047951117001287. Epub 2017 Jun 27.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 17-year-old male soccer player with T-wave inversion in precordial leads in resting electrocardiography, which also disclosed sinus bradycardia, early repolarization, and increased QRS voltage. These findings strongly suggested cardiomyopathy. The patient's T-wave inversion disappeared during only 2 weeks of detraining, and it re-appeared 2 weeks after resumption of intensive training. This sudden change in electrocardiographic parameters over a short period helped in identifying the adolescent as having athlete's heart.

Keywords: Athlete’s heart; T-wave inversion; arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy; electrocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnostic imaging*
  • Athletes
  • Bradycardia / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced*
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Soccer