Evaluation should include:
"Before participation in competitive sports, all athletes with ventricular dysfunction after CHD surgery should undergo evaluation that includes clinical assessment, ECG, imaging assessment of ventricular function, and exercise testing."
(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence B)
Normal systemic ventricular function
"Athletes with normal or near-normal systemic ventricular function (EF ≥50%) can participate in all sports."
(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence B)
Mildly diminished ventricular function
"It is reasonable for athletes with mildly diminished ventricular function (EF 40%–50%) to participate in low- and medium-intensity static and dynamic sports (classes IA, IB, and IIA and IIB)."
(Class IIb Recommendation; Level of Evidence B)
Moderately to severely diminished function
"Athletes with moderately to severely diminished ventricular function (EF < 40%) should be restricted from all competitive sports, with the possible exception of low-intensity (class IA) sports."
(Class III Recommendation; Level of Evidence B)
Reference: Eligibility and Disqualification Recommendations for Competitive Athletes With Cardiovascular Abnormalities. Task Force 4: Congenital Heart Disease.
A Scientific Statement From the AHA and ACC. Circulation 2015
Disclaimer: This website is derived from published guidelines, but does not constitute medical advice nor does it replace clinical judgement. Only the text in quotation marks are direct quotations from the original guidelines. Text not in quotations as well as the method of information display are all that of the website creator and are not part of the original published guidelines. Please consult a physician to discuss any patient-specific matters.
Key: ECG = electrocardiogram, echo = echocardiogram, CHD = congenital heart disease, EF = ejection fraction, LV = left ventricle