Zusammenfassung
Der plötzliche Herztod eines jungen Leistungssportlers ist meist die tragische Erstmanifestation einer bis dahin unentdeckten strukturellen oder elektrischen Herzerkrankung. Charakteristische EKG-Veränderungen können Vorboten derartiger Risikokonstellationen sein, sind aber oft schwer von trainingsassoziierten Veränderungen vergleichbarer Morphologie auf dem Boden einer physiologischen kardialen Adaptation abzugrenzen. Fehlinterpretationen können demnach zu unnötigem Sportverbot, unberechtigter Sportfreigabe oder kostenintensiven Zusatzuntersuchungen mit oft ebenfalls schwer zu interpretierenden Befunden führen. Durch systematische Auswertungen großer Sportlerkollektive konnte in den letzten Jahren allerdings eine Reihe von EKG-Veränderungen wie isolierte QRS-Erhöhung, Sinusbradykardie, AV-Block Grad I, frühe Repolarisation oder inkompletter Rechtsschenkelblock als typischerweise trainingsassoziiert und somit nicht abklärungsbedürftig erkannt werden. Repolarisationsstörungen, Q-Zacken, komplette Blockbilder oder abnorme QT-Intervalle treten dagegen auch bei Leistungssportlern selten auf und sind primär abklärungsbedürftig. Dem EKG kommt damit eine Schlüsselposition in der Prävention des plötzlichen Herztodes zu. Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit stellt die kürzlich in Positionspapieren zusammengefassten, aktuell gültigen Kriterien zur Differenzialdiagnostik des Leistungssportler-EKG vor.
Abstract
In young competitive athletes sudden cardiac death frequently occurs as a tragic first manifestation of clinically inapparent underlying structural or electrical cardiac disorders. An increased risk may be reflected by typical electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations preceding symptoms but a correct interpretation is often challenging due to a high prevalence of training-related ECG alterations in competitive athletes mimicking such disorders. Misinterpretation may thus result in either unnecessary disqualification from competitive sports or continuation despite an increased risk or extensive diagnostic work-ups yielding additional equivocal findings. However, as observed in large athlete cohorts in recent years a variety of ECG alterations, such as isolated increased QRS voltage, early repolarization, sinus bradycardia, first degree AV block or incomplete right bundle branch block, represent common variants of ECGs of athletes reflecting physiological and training-related cardiac adaptations. These alterations do not usually require further diagnostic evaluation. In contrast, alterations such as repolarization abnormalities, complete bundle branch block, prolonged QT intervals or pathological Q waves, are strongly suggestive of underlying disorders and require further evaluation even in asymptomatic athletes. Thus, the ECG plays a pivotal role in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in competitive athletes. The present article summarizes current recommendations for the interpretation of athlete ECGs regarding the differentiation between physiological or pathological cardiac adaptation.
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Preßler, A., Halle, M. EKG-Diagnostik bei Leistungssportlern. Herz 37, 474–485 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-012-3636-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-012-3636-7