PREVALENCE OF ASYMPTOMTIC VENTRICULAR PREEXCITATION AMONG GEORGIAN ATHLETES

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sports Medicine
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• Young athletes undergo preparticipation screening to detect cardiac abnormalities.
• Ventricular pre-excitation (VPP) can be asymptomatic but carries a risk of sudden cardiac death.
• The role of exercise ECG in detecting VPP in asymptomatic athletes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic VPP in young athletes.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of combined resting and exercise ECG in screening for VPP.
• To assess the diagnostic value of stress ECG testing in identifying VPP in asymptomatic athletes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional study of 15,187 young Georgian athletes (ages 12-25) from 2010-2019.
• Analysis of resting and exercise ECGs for athletes referred to electrophysiology.
• Identification and classification of 25 athletes with asymptomatic VPP based on ECG findings during rest and exercise.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of asymptomatic VPP was 0.16% (25 out of 15,187 athletes).
• Of the 25 athletes with asymptomatic VPP, 36% showed pre-excitation only during exercise.
• Exercise ECG testing identified intermittent pre-excitation in a significant portion of athletes, aiding risk stratification.

Conclusions:

• Asymptomatic VPP is present in 0.16% of young athletes, highlighting the need for thorough cardiac screening.
• Exercise ECG testing is valuable for uncovering intermittent ventricular pre-excitation in asymptomatic athletes.
• Early detection and management of VPP are crucial for preventing potentially lethal outcomes in young athletes.