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Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), Sports Medicine

Chau Bui, DO and Paul Meirick, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Channelopathies refer to a group of inherited arrhythmogenic diseases caused by mutations in genes encoding for ion channel proteins in cardiomyocytes that disrupt the balance of cur...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Most patients present only after experiencing life-threatening VT or VF.

  • Prehospital:

    • In the case that any patient with a CPVT converts into a life-threatening arrhythmia in the field, the mos...

TREATMENT

The primary treatment is implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement with careful programming and β-blockers. 

MEDICATION

  • β-Blockers are the cornerstone of CPVT therapy.

  • Flecainide a...

ONGOING CARE

All patients with CPVT should be followed regularly by a cardiologist. Education and restrictions regarding exercise are crucial to survival. 

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Return-to-play decis...

REFERENCES

1
Cheung C, Laksman Z, Mellor G, et al. Exercise and inherited arrhythmias. Can J Cardiol.  2016;32(4):452–458.
2
Priori SG, Napolitano C, Memmi M, et al. Clinical and molecular character...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • CPVT is a channelopathy that can be induced by physical or emotional stress in a structurally normal heart.

  • CPVT generally first presents with life-threatening arrhythmia, therefore the...

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