Key result
Polymorphic PVBs and specific RBBB morphologies predict underlying cardiac disease, found in ~32% of affected athletes.
Why the study?
Premature ventricular beats in athletes can indicate undiagnosed cardiac disease with risk of sudden cardiac death, warranting identification of features predicting underlying cardiovascular disease.
Do specific clinical, ECG, and arrhythmic features predict underlying cardiovascular disease in competitive athletes with premature ventricular beats?
Observational (n=264)
Do specific clinical, ECG, and arrhythmic features predict underlying cardiovascular disease in competitive athletes with premature ventricular beats?
In competitive athletes with premature ventricular beats, specific clinical and ECG features such as polymorphic PVBs and RBBB morphology with specific axis and deflection characteristics strongly predict underlying structural heart disease.
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May aid risk stratification in athletes with PVBs; leaves open prospective validation of predictors.
Graziano et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Premature ventricular beats in athletes (n=264). Clinical, ECG, and arrhythmic features vs. Absence of these features was evaluated on Underlying cardiac disease. Polymorphic PVBs (69% vs 37.5%, p<0.001), reproducible PVBs, and specific RBBB morphologies independently predicted underlying cardiac disease, which was identified in 32% of athletes with PVBs.
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