Abstract
The benefints of physical activity is well established, but growing evidence supports that sustained and vigorous endurance exercise may increase the risk of arrhytmias as atrial fibrillation. Treatment of atrial fibrillation in athletes is often challenging, and several considerations must be taken. Catheter ablation is a treatment option of emerging value in these patients, but there are still gaps of evidence related to this procedure in athletes. The main goal in this assignment has been to review the effects of catheter ablation in athletes and impact on sports results by this procedure. Existing studies agree that catheter ablation is an effective treatment option among athletes, as in the general population. Studies also observe that catheter ablation does not adversely affect performance levels in athletes. However, the studies on these topics are few and include small populations, and conclusions should not be drawn yet. Future studies should be multiple, including larger populations, and randomised controlled trials are particularly desirable. In addition, the potential fatal consequences of ablation treatment should be highlighted, as this procedure is not vital for athletes. The outcomes of catheter ablation should be further investigated in athletes and compared with the consequences of medical treatment. Many questions still remain unanswered, and more studies are needed. With this, we expect more reliable conclusions in the future.
The benefints of physical activity is well established, but growing evidence supports that sustained and vigorous endurance exercise may increase the risk of arrhytmias as atrial fibrillation. Treatment of atrial fibrillation in athletes is often challenging, and several considerations must be taken. Catheter ablation is a treatment option of emerging value in these patients, but there are still gaps of evidence related to this procedure in athletes. The main goal in this assignment has been to review the effects of catheter ablation in athletes and impact on sports results by this procedure. Existing studies agree that catheter ablation is an effective treatment option among athletes, as in the general population. Studies also observe that catheter ablation does not adversely affect performance levels in athletes. However, the studies on these topics are few and include small populations, and conclusions should not be drawn yet. Future studies should be multiple, including larger populations, and randomised controlled trials are particularly desirable. In addition, the potential fatal consequences of ablation treatment should be highlighted, as this procedure is not vital for athletes. The outcomes of catheter ablation should be further investigated in athletes and compared with the consequences of medical treatment. Many questions still remain unanswered, and more studies are needed. With this, we expect more reliable conclusions in the future.