Investigation and management of an athlete with ECG abnormalities on routine screening

7 April 2016

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Prolonged QT interval in an elite young athlete

An 18-year-old Caucasian boxer was referred for specialist investigation after routine pre-participation screening revealed an abnormal ECG. At the time the athlete was in full training and participating in regular competitions. The athlete had been participating in competitive sport from a young age and weekly training included regular high-intensity training sessions. The athlete did not report any history of cardiovascular symptoms. There was no family history of premature sudden cardiac death, syncope or epilepsy. Clinical examination was unremarkable. Blood pressure was 128/72mmHg.

The 12-lead ECG is presented below.

References

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Notes to editor

Dr Rebecca Robinson, Specialty Registrar Sports and Exercise Medicine Sheffield Teaching Hospital,
Dr Mike Loosemore, Consultant in Sports and Exercise Medicine University College Hospital
Professor Sanjay Sharma, Professor of Inherited Cardiac Disease and Sports Cardiology, St George’s University of London

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Contributors

Professor Sanjay Sharma

Miss Rebecca Robinson

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