Summary

Background

The risks of sports participation for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are unknown.

Methods and results

Athletes with DIC (age 10-60 years) participating in organized (n=328) or high-risk (n=44) sports were recruited. Data related to sport and clinical data were obtained by telephone interview and medical history. Follow-up was performed every 6 months. ICD discharge data and clinical results were adjudicated by two electrophysiologists. The median age was 33 years (89 subjects <20 years); 33% were women. Sixty were competitive athletes (varsity/junior varsity/travel team). 42% had a history of ventricular arrhythmia before DIC. The most frequent sports were athletics, basketball and soccer. During a median of 31 months (interquartile range, 21-46 months) of follow-up, there were no cases of primary end point - death or resuscitated arrest or injury related to arrhythmia or shock - during sports practice. There were 49 shocks in 37 participants (10% of the study population) during competition/practice, 39 shocks in 29 participants (8%) during other physical activity, and 33 shocks in 24 participants (6%) at rest. In 8 episodes of ventricular arrhythmia (device-defined), multiple shocks were received: 1 at rest, 4 during competition/practice, and 3 during other physical activity. In the end, the DCI put an end to all episodes. Freedom from lead malfunction was 97% at 5 years (from implantation) and 90% at 10 years.

conclusions

Many athletes with CDI are able to participate in vigorous, competitive sports without physical injury or failure to terminate the arrhythmia, despite the occurrence of both inappropriate and appropriate shocks. These data provide a basis for the physician and patient to make more informed decisions regarding sport participation for athletes with CDI.