Version 1
: Received: 19 August 2024 / Approved: 19 August 2024 / Online: 20 August 2024 (03:16:32 CEST)
How to cite:
Kourek, C.; Briasoulis, A.; Tsougos, E.; Paraskevaidis, I. Atrial Fibrillation in Elite Athletes: A Comprehensive Review of Literature. Preprints2024, 2024081350. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.1350.v1
Kourek, C.; Briasoulis, A.; Tsougos, E.; Paraskevaidis, I. Atrial Fibrillation in Elite Athletes: A Comprehensive Review of Literature. Preprints 2024, 2024081350. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.1350.v1
Kourek, C.; Briasoulis, A.; Tsougos, E.; Paraskevaidis, I. Atrial Fibrillation in Elite Athletes: A Comprehensive Review of Literature. Preprints2024, 2024081350. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.1350.v1
APA Style
Kourek, C., Briasoulis, A., Tsougos, E., & Paraskevaidis, I. (2024). Atrial Fibrillation in Elite Athletes: A Comprehensive Review of Literature. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.1350.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Kourek, C., Elias Tsougos and Ioannis Paraskevaidis. 2024 "Atrial Fibrillation in Elite Athletes: A Comprehensive Review of Literature" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.1350.v1
Abstract
According to current knowledge, although the beneficial effects of regular exercise training are well recognized, there are conflicting data regarding its relation with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in competitive athletes. The aim of this literature review was to demonstrate a comprehensive report of incidence, pathophysiology and management of AF in elite athletes. The frequency of AF to be 2 to 10 times greater in high intensity endurance athletes compared to sedentary individuals. A U-shaped relationship between male elite athletes and AF has been observed, while the type and the dose of physical activity seems to play a major role in AF development. Male gender, increasing age, endurance sports, and time of training are associated with AF, thereby confirming a likely association between athleticism and AF. Pathophysiology of AF still remains unclear but, there are suggested theories that include complex mechanisms such as alterations of autonomic tone, left atrial enlargement and fibrosis, electrical remodeling, and increased inflammation. Elite athletes with AF require a comprehensive clinical evaluation and risk factor optimization, similar to that for nonathletes. Although anticoagulation and rate or rhythm control are corner stones for AF management, however, there are still no specific guidelines for elite athletes.
Medicine and Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
