Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study reports on sudden cardiac death (SCD) in sport in the literature and aims at achieving a generally acceptable preparticipation screening protocol (PPSP) endorsed by the consensus meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). BACKGROUND: The sudden death of athletes under 35 years engaged in competitive sports is a well-known occurrence; the incidence is higher in athletes (∼2/100 000 per year) than in non-athletes (2.5:1), and the cause is cardiovascular in over 90%. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature identified causes of SCD, sex, age, underlying cardiac disease and the type of sport and PPSP in use. Methods necessary to detect pre-existing cardiac abnormalities are discussed to formulate a PPSP for the Medical Commission of the IOC. RESULTS: SCD occurred in 1101 (1966-2004) reported cases in athletes under 35 years, 50% had congenital anatomical heart disease and cardiomyopathies and 10% had early-onset atherosclerotic heart disease. Forty percent occurred in athletes under 18 years, 33% under 16 years; the female/male ratio was 1/9. SCD was reported in almost all sports; most frequently involved were soccer (30%), basketball (25%) and running (15%). The PPSP were of varying quality and content. The IOC consensus meeting accepted the proposed Lausanne Recommendations based on this research and expert opinions (http://multimedia. olympic.org/pdf/en_report_886.pdf). CONCLUSION: SCD occurs more frequently in young athletes, even those under the age of 18 years, than expected and is predominantly caused by pre-existing congenital cardiac abnormalities. Premature atherosclerotic disease forms another important cause in these young adults. A generally acceptable PPSP has been achieved by the IOC's acceptance of the Lausanne Recommendations.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 859-875 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cardiovascular
- Electrocardiogram
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Preparticipation screening protocol
- Sudden cardiac death
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine