Karger Publishers, Cardiology, 4(139), p. 222-230, 2018
DOI: 10.1159/000486707
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<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Recommendations regarding sports restriction are lacking for middle-aged athletes with anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Sixty-three patients with ACAOS were subdivided into ACAOS with (<i>n</i> = 38) or without (<i>n</i> = 25) an interarterial course (IAC). Sports behavior, either competitive (COMP) or recreational (REC), was evaluated at the time of diagnosis and after a median follow-up of 4.2 years. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Mean age was 56 ± 11 years and 48 (76.2%) patients were engaged in sports. Three individuals (4.8%) were surgically corrected after diagnosis. Thirty-eight (60.3%) patients were aware of their diagnosis at follow-up and 12 (19.0%) were counseled by their physician about sports restrictions. Sports behavior at the time of diagnosis and at follow-up did not differ significantly, neither in patients engaged in COMP (17.5 vs. 12.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.619) nor those engaged in REC (58.7 vs. 61.9%, <i>p</i> = 0.856). Sport-related symptoms were not significantly different between ACAOS patients with and without IAC. No athlete had died at follow-up. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The majority of middle-aged individuals with ACAOS were involved in sports activities at the time of diagnosis and at follow-up. Awareness and counseling about ACAOS diagnosis had no significant effect on sports behavior. IAC did not have an impact on sport-related symptoms, and outcomes were favorable in all athletes, regardless of surgical correction.