Sportkardiologie

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia in man and the number of patients withindication for oral anticoagulation (OAC) is steadily increasing.According to the European Guidelines,athletes with AF and OAC are excluded from competitive sports with a risk of bodily collision or trauma, according to the American Guidelines from high-impact contact sports. Due to better clinical traceability, the authors recommend the use of the European Guidelines in everyday clinical practice.There is evidence that patients treated with OAC avoid physical activity, including recreational sports, for fear of bleeding complications. However, a good stateof physical health decreases the risk of falling, the general bleeding risk and risk of fall-related bleeding. Thus, eligibility for recreational sports participation has to be evaluated individually taking into accountthe whole clinical situationand also type of sports. From a practical or numerical point of view, evaluation of patients with OAC whowant to perform alpine skiing isof special importance. The approach of interruptingOAC during ski holidays is not evidence based and thus cannot be recommended.In light of the high relevance of the topic in everyday clinical practice, further clinical data on sports and OAC areurgentlyrequired. Afirst step could be the scientific evaluation of the approach often performed in alpine skiing sports, for example in terms of a clinical registry.KEY WORDS: Atrial Fibrillation, Physical Activity, Sports, Oral Anticoagulation, Training