[Sudden cardiac death in athletes with an apparently normal heart: the channelopathies]

Abstract

Ion channelopathies are inherited arrhythmia syndromes, without apparent structural heart disease, which predispose to syncope and sudden death, often in association with exercise. They are referred to as "primary cardiomyopathies", where the arrhythmogenic substrate is found in the electrical properties of the heart. The diagnosis is based on the 12-lead ECG and a careful family history, hence the usefulness of a preparticipation cardiovascular screening including 12-lead ECG in order to identify the subjects at risk.