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The Atlantic Rift: Guidelines for Athletic Screening-Where Should Canada Stand?
Paul Poirier1, Sanjay Sharma2, Andrew Pipe3
1Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|March 28, 2016
Summary
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes is a concern. Current electrocardiogram (ECG) screening methods face challenges, prompting a call for Canadian guidelines and improved emergency response accessibility.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes is a significant concern.
- Preparticipation screening aims to identify athletes at risk for SCD.
- Conflicting international recommendations exist for using electrocardiograms (ECGs) in screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the lack of Canadian guidelines for preparticipation screening of athletes.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of ECG screening in young athletes.
- To propose alternative or supplementary strategies for reducing SCD in young individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of current recommendations from major cardiology societies (AHA, ESC).
- Analysis of the limitations and challenges of electrocardiogram (ECG) screening in athletes.
- Consideration of screening broader populations beyond competitive athletes.
Main Results:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening in athletes yields a high number of false positives due to training adaptations.
- Abnormal ECG findings necessitate costly further investigations with low diagnostic yield.
- Universal screening presents significant logistical and financial hurdles.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for specific Canadian guidelines on preparticipation screening for athletes.
- Focusing solely on athletes overlooks a larger population at risk in recreational activities.
- Enhanced access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training are vital immediate strategies.
