Partial absence of pericardium in an endurance athlete. A case report.

A twenty-nine-year-old competitive endurance runner was noted to have a congenital absence of the pericardium on a routine screening exam. No recommendations for activity restrictions have been previously described for this condition. After maximal exercise performance on a cardiac stress test without symptoms of cardiac compromise and consultation with cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, the patient was returned to full, unrestricted competitive running. Once the diagnosis of absent pericardium is confirmed by imaging modalities, cardiac stress testing may be employed to determine a recommended activity level for the patient.