RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 ECG as a part of the preparticipation screening programme: an old and still present international dilemma
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 776
OP 779
DO 10.1136/bjsm.2009.063958
VO 45
IS 10
A1 A Carro Hevia
A1 M M Fernández
A1 J M A Palacio
A1 E H Martín
A1 M G Castro
A1 J J Rodríguez Reguero
YR 2011
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/45/10/776.abstract
AB Introduction Long-term Italian experience has provided evidence that preparticipation screening in competitive athletes with 12-lead ECG, history and physical examination is effective in identifying potentially lethal cardiovascular diseases. However, it is not being routinely practised in other countries. Objectives To evaluate the usefulness of a preparticipation screening programme in a sample of players belonging to different disciplines. Material and methods From September 2006 to June 2008, 1220 young athletes from different sports disciplines underwent a cardiovascular examination that included personal and family history, physical examination and a resting 12-lead ECG. Those with abnormal findings were referred for additional tests. Results 1220 Athletes were screened: 96% males; mean age 23 (4) years. 90 (7.4%) players were referred for additional tests because of abnormal findings on baseline examination: 11 (0.9%) personal or family history, 4 (0.08%) physical examination and 75 (6.14%) 12-lead ECG. Echocardiographic assessment fulfilled left ventricular hypertrophy criteria in 8 of the 90 players. Of those, one case was considered an athlete's heart and one case was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (septal thickness 23 mm). Further tests were needed in the remaining six, included in the “grey area”, with one additional case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (apical variant) suggested by cardiac MRI. Conclusion Given the ability of 12-lead ECG to detect individuals with structural heart disease, we suggest its inclusion as a part of preparticipation screening programmes.