Study population
We report a retrospective registry of athletes referred to our Sports
Cardiology Center (Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS) for AF CA in the
last five years. All athletes were previously declared non-eligible to
competitive sport at pre-participation screening because of recurrences
of AF or evidence of persistent asymptomatic AF. Sedentary patients
without any structural heart disease were matched with athletes based on
age and sex.
All patients underwent a complete clinical assessment including ECG,
echocardiogram and thyroid function test. A full medical history and a
query for drug use (especially performance-enhancing drugs) were
included. Additional diagnostic tests were performed if needed.