Efficacy of personal symptom and family history questionnaires when screening for inherited cardiac pathologies? The role of electrocardiography

Mathew G Wilson ^1*, Sandeep Basavarajaiah ², Gregory Whyte ³, Steve Cox ⁴, Mike Loosemore ⁵ and Sanjay Sharma ²

¹ School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
² Dept of Cardiology, Kings College London, United Kingdom
³ Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom
⁴ Cardiac Risk in the Young, United Kingdom
⁵ English Institute of Sport, United Kingdom

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mat.wilson{at}wlv.ac.uk.

Accepted 9 August 2007

Abstract

Aims: This study sought to confirm the efficacy of resting 12-lead ECG alongside personal symptom and family history questionnaire and physical examination when screening for diseases that have the potential of causing sudden cardiac death in the young.

Methods and Results: One thousand and seventy four National and International junior athletes (15.8 ± 0.7 years, range 10-27) and 1646 physically active school children (16.1 ± 2.1 years, range 14-20) were screened using personal and family history questionnaires, physical examination and resting 12-Lead ECG. Nine participants with a positive diagnosis of a disease associated with sudden cardiac death were identified. None of the participants diagnosed with a disease associated with sudden cardiac death were symptomatic or had family history of note.

Conclusion: Family history and personal symptom questionnaires alone are inadequate in the identification of individuals with diseases associated with sudden cardiac death. Utilisation of 12-lead ECG is paramount when screening for cardiac pathology in the young.

Key Words: Athletes, Cardiac Screening, Sudden Cardiac Death

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