Sudden Cardiac Death in the Adolescent Athlete: History, Diagnosis, and Prevention

Sudden cardiac death in young athletes is a devastating condition that occurs without warning. While most middle and high school athletes require preparticipation screening, many predisposing conditions go undiagnosed until they occur. The frequency of sudden cardiac death is often under-reported because there is no mandatory system for reporting sports-related death in high school sports. Additionally, there is debate about the cost-effectiveness of more advanced screening tests, such as electrocardiogram, due to high false-positive rates. It is, however, accepted that participants with a family history of sudden cardiac death should undergo more in-depth screening. If sudden cardiac arrest occurs, it is important for the patient to undergo immediate defibrillation. Community outreach to ensure that automated external defibrillators are present at athletic events, as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for coaches, could potentially save lives. Ultimately, prevention of sudden cardiac death depends on physician awareness of how to properly screen and identify those at risk, and how to best be prepared if sudden cardiac arrest occurs.