High prevalence of atrial fibrillation in long-term endurance cross-country skiers: echocardiographic findings and possible predictors – a 28–30 years follow-up study
Received 21 May 2009; accepted 20 August 2009.
Background
Lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) seems to be more common in endurance-trained male athletes than in men in the general population. The reason for this has not been found.
Aim
To determine the prevalence of LAF in long-term endurance cross-country skiers and to examine possible predictors.
Methods
Of 149 healthy, long-term trained cross-country skiers from three different age groups who were invited, 122 and 117 participated in the studies in 1976 and 1981, respectively. At follow-up in 2004–2006, 78 men participated, with 33 in age group I (54–62 years), 37 in group II (72–80 years) and eight in group III (87–92 years), whereas 37 individuals had died and seven could not be tracked. The examination programme applied in 1976, 1981 and 2004–2006 consisted of an electrocardiographic monitoring during rest and exercise and a maximal exercise test. Echocardiography was performed in 2004–2006.
Results
A high prevalence (12.8%) of LAF was found. The only predictor from both 1976 and 1981 associated with LAF was a long PQ time (r=0.38, P=0.001 and r=0.27, P=0.02, respectively), whereas bradycardia was another predictor from 1981 (r=0.29, P=0.012). At follow-up, left atrial enlargement was a marker associated with LAF (P<0.001).
Conclusion
Long PQ time, bradycardia and left atrial enlargement seem to be important risk factors for LAF among long-term endurance cross-country skiers.
aDepartment of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Feiringklinikken (The Feiring Heart Clinic), Feiring
bDepartment of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal
cNorwegian Institute of Sports Medicine (Hjelp24NIMI), Oslo, Norway
Correspondence to Dr Jostein Grimsmo, MD, Feiringklinikken, 2093 Feiring, Norway Tel: +47 63924291; fax: +47 63924396;
* Part of this study was previously presented in abstract form at the Europrevent 2007, Madrid, Spain [Eur J Cardiovasc Rehabil 2007; 14 (Suppl 1)] and ESC Annual Congress 2007, Vienna, Austria [Eur Heart J 2007; 28 (Suppl 1):P645].
ABSTRACT