Citation

Roberts WO, Stovitz SD. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2013; 62(14): 1298-1301.

Affiliation

Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Electronic address: rober037@umn.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jacc.2013.05.080

PMID

23850929

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of sudden cardiac death during MSHSL games and practices for HS athletes (age 12-19 years old with most age 15-18) using a uniform statewide PPE form every 3 years on a defined population across 19 academic years. BACKGROUND: Adding ECG screening is being considered by some to reduce cardiac death rates in athletes, but the death rates in defined groups screened by the current US PPE recommendations are unknown. METHODS: MSHSL participation records were surveyed to determine the number of unduplicated athletes for 1993-94 through 2011-12 academic years, and catastrophic insurance records were used to find cardiac deaths. RESULTS: There were 4 SCDs (2 cross country, 1 basketball, 1 wrestling), all male, during practice or games in 1,666,509 unduplicated athletes participating in one or more sports. The incidence of SCD in athletes screened every 3 years with history and physical during MSHSL activities is 0.24 per 100,000 athlete-years over 19 years and 0.11 per 100,000 athlete-years over the last decade. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SCD in athletes screened every 3 years with standard PPE form during MSHSL activities is 0.24 per 100,000 athlete-years in 19 academic years. This incidence is much lower than that observed in studies of Division 1 NCAA and Italian athletes (ages 18-25 and mean age 24 years, respectively). Our data do not warrant screening HS athletes with ECG to prevent SCD episodes. The decision to screen athletes with ECG should consider age, training intensity, and genetic predisposition.

Language: en