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Is Brugada Syndrome a Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes? A Review of the Current Literature

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Abstract

Purpose of review

The goal of this review is to assess recent literature regarding the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and critically evaluate the current sporting recommendations.

Recent findings

Historically, exercise limitation in patients with BrS has been the main cornerstone of preventive therapy. Contemporary recommendations permit safe participation in competitive sports with precautionary measures. These include the avoidance of potential stressors and encourage the use of personalized therapeutics (such as implantable cardioverter-defibrillators) based on risk and symptomatology, as well as shared decision-making. Catheter ablation and public training for external defibrillation are promising emerging strategies.

Summary

Literature supports low incidence of SCD in athletes with Brugada syndrome and limited connection with exercise, though clinical data is sparse. Current recommendations allow for safe participation in sport with some constraints. Additional research is necessary to expand treatment options and to augment safe participation in sport for athletes with Brugada syndrome.

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References and Recommended Reading

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Science Centre, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Mario D. Bassi BSc & Ioana Tereza Florica MD

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Nathan Jiang BSc

  3. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Juan M. Farina MD

  4. Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clínic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, C/Villarroel N° 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

    Josep Brugada MD

  5. Division of Cardiology, Kingston Health Science Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Queen’s University, Kingston Health Science Centre, 76 Stuart St, K7L 2V7, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Adrian Baranchuk MD, FACC, FRCPC, FCCS, FSIAC

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Correspondence to Adrian Baranchuk MD, FACC, FRCPC, FCCS, FSIAC.

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Mario D. Bassi declares that he has no conflict of interest. Nathan Jiang declares that he has no conflict of interest. Ioana Tereza Florica declares that she has no conflict of interest. Juan M Farina declares that he has no conflict of interest. Josep Brugada declares that he has no conflict of interest. Adrian Baranchuk declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Bassi, M.D., Jiang, N., Florica, I.T. et al. Is Brugada Syndrome a Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes? A Review of the Current Literature. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 25, 311–323 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-023-00995-4

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