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June 27, 2026EP EuropaceOpen Access

Catheter ablation in competitive athletes links to an ~87% lower PVC burden versus leisure athletes.

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Why the study?

The management of symptomatic or high-burden PVCs in athletes remains controversial, and data on procedural efficacy, safety, and functional recovery after catheter ablation in this population are limited.

Does radiofrequency catheter ablation effectively reduce PVC burden and facilitate return to sport in competitive versus leisure-time athletes without structural heart disease?

Population

100 athletes aged ≥14 years undergoing catheter ablation for idiopathic PVCs without structural heart disease

Comparison

Competitive athletes vs leisure-time athletes

Design

Single-centre retrospective study

Follow-up

9–15 months for clinical evaluation

Key result

Following catheter ablation for idiopathic PVCs, competitive athletes achieved a lower follow-up PVC burden compared to leisure-time athletes (median 34.5 vs 274 PVCs/24 h; p=0.006).

Authors

FCF CardinaliYVY ValeriRGR Grandin

Discussion

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Overview

CA may support return to sport after ablation in athletes with PVCs; leaves open need for prospective trials to confirm outcomes.

Key Points

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation for idiopathic PVCs in athletes without structural heart disease and assess their return to sports.
  • Single-center retrospective study including 100 athletes aged ≥14 years
  • Patients underwent catheter ablation with 3D electroanatomical mapping
  • Follow-up included Holter monitoring and clinical evaluation at 3–15 months.
  • PVC burden decreased significantly in both groups, more in competitive athletes (median 34.5 vs 274 PVCs/24 h, p=0.006)
  • Return to sport occurred in 78% of competitive and 70% of leisure-time athletes (p=0.370)
  • Approximately 60% of the cohort reported symptomatic improvement during sports participation.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=100)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Does radiofrequency catheter ablation effectively reduce PVC burden and facilitate return to sport in competitive versus leisure-time athletes without structural heart disease?

P
Population
100 athletes aged ≥14 years with idiopathic PVCs and no structural heart disease who underwent catheter ablation, categorized as competitive or leisure-time athletes, followed for 9-15 months.
E
Exposure
Radiofrequency catheter ablation using a 3D electroanatomical mapping system
C
Comparator
Comparison between competitive athletes (n=46) and leisure-time athletes (n=54) receiving the same intervention
O
Outcome
PVC burden reductionsurrogate

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 34.5% vs 274%

p-value: p=0.006

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a safe and highly effective treatment for idiopathic PVCs in athletes without structural heart disease, significantly reducing arrhythmic burden and facilitating return to sport.

Cite This Study

Cardinali et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (n=100). Competitive athlete status vs. Leisure-time athlete status was evaluated on PVC burden reduction (p=0.006). Following catheter ablation for idiopathic PVCs, competitive athletes achieved a lower follow-up PVC burden compared to leisure-time athletes (median 34.5 vs 274 PVCs/24 h; p=0.006).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a3f97bb125782b61d8658ddhttps://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euag105.247
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contraction Catheter Ablation, Sedentary Population vs. Athlete’s Populations: Outcomes and Resumption of Sports Activity2024 · 1 citations
  2. 2Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions Catheter Ablation, Sedentary Population vs Athlete’s Populations: Outcomes and Resumption of Sports Activity2024 · 1 citations
  3. 3Long-Term Follow-Up of Catheter Ablation for Premature Ventricular Complexes in the Modern Era: The Importance of Localization and Substrate2022 · 25 citations
  4. 4Long-Term Outcomes After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Contractions2026
  5. 5The role of pre-participation cardiac evaluation in the management of an athlete with premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy: a case report2022