High degree atrioventricular block in a marathoner with 5-year follow-up

Electrocardiographic Findings of Heart Rate and Conduction Times in Athletic Students and Sedentary Control Subjects

“…All parameters of sep tal and right and left ventricular hypertrophy were increased in the group with incomplete right bundle branch block, but most promi nently in those with right ventricular hyper trophy. This is in agreement with the finding of Raunio et al [34], These authors claim that incomplete right bundle branch block is due to right ventricular enlargement, although hy pertrophy of the crista supraventricularis has also been suggested [35], An association of incomplete right bundle branch block with heart size in athletes has been demonstrated by Roskamm et al [36], as well as an in creased incidence in top-level as compared with medium-level athletes [28], Some regres sion of incomplete right bundle branch block occurs on detraining [23,31], but slower than the regression of bradycardia [23],…”

“…Although small in number, these studies indicate that a reduction in the level of training leads to regression in AV block, sinus bradycardia, and hypertrophy. Regression of high-degree AV block has also been reported [28]. Ogawa et al [29] demonstrated that ventricular pauses up to 3.4 s on Holter monitoring had no impact on prognosis in athletes during a 3 year follow up.…”

Third‐degree atrioventricular block in an athlete

“…The athlete's heart shows many adaptations, and these have recently been reviewed [l]. Changes in heart rhythm, atrioventricular (AV) conduction and repolarization are found [2]. Although third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block has been reported previously, this case had an unusually long follow-up.…”