title: [Pathophysiology of atrioventricular conduction disturbances in sports practitioners].
abstract: In athletes practicing endurance sports, atrioventricular conduction disturbances may be physiological. This holds true for first-degree atrioventricular blocks, type 1 second-degree atrioventricular blocks, and slight ventricular activation delays (slurred S wave in V1). On the contrary, right (RBBB) and left bundle branch blocks (LBBB) and fascicular blocks (left anterior [LAH] and left posterior hemiblocks [LPH]), either isolated or associated with RBBB, are rare in asymptomatic athletes. The latter can be the consequence of structural heart disease or primary degeneration of the intraventricular conduction system (Lev-Lenègre disease). In our experience, LPH and LPH+RBBB have always a pattern of familial recurrence. LAH+RBBB may be familial (40-60%). Isolated RBBB is rarely familial. LBBB is never familial. Families with hereditary conduction disorders may also have a history of juvenile sudden death. Patients with LBBB may show coronary artery anomalies. The long-term prognosis of intraventricular conduction disorders in asymptomatic subjects, without apparent heart disease, is unknown.
authors.affiliation: U.O. Cardiologia, Ospedale di Conegliano. pietro.delise@libero.it
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delise
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Allocca
authors.forename: Nadir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sitta
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Centa
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cati
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marras
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports; D055815:Young Adult