Call for joint informed consent in athletes with inherited cardiac conditions

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sports Medicine
• Bioethics

Background:

• Informed consent is critical in complex medical scenarios, particularly those involving life-threatening risks.
• Assessing the eligibility of competitive athletes with inherited cardiac conditions presents unique challenges, especially with low or unquantifiable risks.
• Ethical considerations are paramount when balancing athletic participation with patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the rationale behind joint informed consent for athletes with inherited cardiac conditions.
• To explore the benefits of a shared decision-making process for athletic eligibility in these complex cases.
• To provide guidance on navigating informed consent for competitive athletes facing potential cardiac risks.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on informed consent principles in high-risk medical situations.
• Analysis of ethical frameworks relevant to sports cardiology and inherited cardiac conditions.
• Case study review of competitive athletes with cardiac conditions and their consent processes.

Main Results:

• Joint informed consent can enhance patient understanding and shared decision-making.
• It allows for a more comprehensive assessment of risks and benefits tailored to the athlete.
• This approach can empower athletes to make informed choices about their participation.

Conclusions:

• Joint informed consent is a valuable tool for managing the complexities of inherited cardiac conditions in competitive athletes.
• It promotes ethical practice by ensuring athletes are fully aware of potential risks.
• Implementing joint informed consent can lead to better outcomes for athlete well-being and participation.