[Heart rhythm abnormalities in middle-aged veteran elite athletes]

Disrrhythmia is frequent finding in high competitive athletes. Majority of heart rhythm abnormalities in athletes, suggested being benign, however, prognostic value of it is not yet well established. Purpose of the present study was to investigate heart rhythm and relationship of heart rhythm abnormalities with LV mass in veteran elite athletes. 30 veteran elite athletes (16 soccer players and 14 water-polo players) aged 30-50 were studied. They formed main group.

>10 years of active sports activity and >5 years after competitive sports cessation. All athletes were symptom free. Control group consists of 30 age - matched sedentary healthy individuals. In all study subjects ambulatory 24 hour ECG was recorded and, LV mass, dimensions and function by ultrasound-Doppler technique was evaluated. LV mass by Devereux formula was calculated and indexed to body surface area. Student's t-test for continuous variables, Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables were used. A P-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Mean heart rate in former athletes group was 62+/-6 ,and 69+/-9, in control group. Night HR in athletes group was 48+/-8 and 55+/-5 in control group. Differences between groups were statistically significant (p<0,01). Complex arrhythmias were found in 4 athletes and none in control group First degree AV block presented in 6 athletes and in 2 controls. Second degree AV block (Mobitz II) was found in 4 athletes and none in controls. LV mass index was higher in ex-athletes (91,42 g/m, than in controls (84,02 g/m ) .differences between groups was statistically significant - p<0,05. Profound Bradycardia and heart conductivity abnormalities as well as complex arrhythmias were more frequent findings in athletes as compared with healthy sedentary subjects. Heart Rhythm abnormalities were associated with enhanced LV mass in Veteran athletes. Hence, veteran elite athletes may be at increased risk of life threatening arrhythmias. However, prognostic value of heart rhythm disturbances in veteran athletes has to be studied.