Long-term clinical significance of frequent and complex ventricular tachyarrhythmias in trained athletes

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical relevance of ventricular tachyarrhythmias assessed by 24-h ambulatory electrocardiograms (ECG) in a large, unique, and prospectively evaluated athletic population. For athletes with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, the risk of sudden cardiac death associated with participation in competitive sports is unresolved. We assessed 355 competitive athletes with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) on a 24-h ambulatory (Holter) ECG that was obtained because of either palpitations, the presence of ≥3 premature ventricular depolarizations (PVDs) on resting 12-lead ECG, or both. Athletes were segregated into three groups: Group A with ≥2,000 PVDs/24 h (n = 71); Group B with ≥100