Table 1

Clinical characteristics of the total cohort (47 athletes)

Age (years)42 (11)
Male45 (95.7%)
Suggestive or suspicious family history2 (4.3%)
Endurance, non-endurance sport41 (87%), 6 (13%)
Level of competition (elite, amateur competitive, recreational)29 (62%), 9 (19%), 9 (19%)
Amount of exercise per week (h)13.6 (8.6)
Years of sport practise18.8 (9.1)
Presenting symptom—aborted sudden death8 (17.0%)
   Syncope or pre-syncope30 (63.8%)
   Palpitations8 (17.0%)
   Screening1 (2.1%)
ARVC Task Force Criteria—2 major criteria3 (6.4%)
   1 Major plus 2 minor criteria10 (21.2%)
   4 Minor criteria11 (23.4%)
   2, 3 Minor criteria17 (36.2%)
   1 Minor criteria6 (12.8%)
ECG abnormalities—epsilon wave or QRS≥110 ms in V1 or V29 (19%)
   Negative T-waves beyond V218 (38%)
   Late potentials on signal-averaged ECG12 (26% of 34 available)
Structural RV abnormalities—severe, mild6 (12.8%), 24 (51.1%)
Major arrhythmic event* during follow-up15 (31.9%)
  • * Any of: aborted sudden death, appropriate ICD discharge or recurrence of sustained ventricular tachycardia.