Atrial Fibrillation in Athletes: Is Adaptability a Synonym of Risk?

pp. 57-62

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and the most interesting due to its high morbidity and mortality.
It is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and structural heart disease, and its prevalence increases with age. The incidence is higher in high-intensity athletes, with a pathophysiology different from conventional AF, from the basis of an adaptive response to an excess of sustained exercise over time. There is a clear difference between sexes.
New diagnostic tools are on the horizon, such as smart watch monitors and quantification of cardiac fibrosis with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, which will be very useful. Treatment of AF is a great challenge due to the scarce evidence and the psychosocial impact caused by stopping training. Pulmonary vein ablation is currently the definitive treatment of choice.
Calcium channel blockers seem to be the best option for HR control; nevertheless, more studies are still necessary. The initiation or not of anticoagulation also remains a question mark.

How to cite this article:

Fonseca SR, Labadet C. Atrial Fibrillation in Athletes: Is Adaptability a Synonym of Risk? Rev Argent Cardiol 2022;90:57-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.7775/rac.v90.i1.20478