June 18, 2017International Journal of Sports Medicine25 citations
Brugada Syndrome and Exercise Practice: Current Knowledge, Shortcomings and Open Questions
Key Result
Exercise may worsen ECG abnormalities in Brugada Syndrome patients, potentially increasing the risk of cardiac events due to enhanced vagal tone.
Structured PICO
Does exercise practice increase the risk of cardiac events in patients with Brugada Syndrome?
P
Population
Patients with Brugada Syndrome, particularly athletes engaging in exercise practice
I
Intervention
Exercise practice and athletic participation
This review highlights the complex relationship between Brugada Syndrome and exercise, noting that while exercise may worsen ECG abnormalities during recovery, the true clinical risk remains unclear and requires careful evaluation.
Abstract
Abstract Since its recognition as a clinical entity in 1992, the Brugada Syndrome (BrS), a hereditary disease characterized by a typical electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern potentially predisposing to sudden cardiac death (SCD), has attracted the attention of many physicians for its circadian pattern of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), mostly occurring at rest. Exercise may potentially worsen the ECG abnormalities in BrS patients, resulting in higher peak J-point amplitudes during the vasovagal reaction of the recovery period, possibly leading to an increased risk of cardiac events. Moreover, the enhanced vagal tone in athletes could be both a BrS risk factor and an exercise effect. Therefore, the true risk of a BrS patient during exercise is still unclear. This review summarizes current knowledge, shortcomings and open questions on BrS and exercise. The paper, in particular, underlines specific considerations including BrS diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis in athletes, the genetic basis, the autonomic imbalance during exercise practice and the recommendations for athletic participation in this patient group.