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Ionescu AM, Pitsiladis YP, Rozenstoka S, Bigard X, Löllgen H, Bachl N, Debruyne A, Pigozzi F, Casasco M, Jegier A, Smaranda AM, Caramoci A, Papadopoulou T. Preparticipation medical evaluation for elite athletes: EFSMA recommendations on standardised preparticipation evaluation form in European countries. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2021; 7:e001178. [PMID: 34745648 PMCID: PMC8527121 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sports medicine is a medical specialty that supports the performance of professional and amateur athletes while maintaining their health. Sports medicine professionals need to ensure the safe participation of athletes in sports activities achieved through a periodical preparticipation evaluation (PPE) and a regular medical monitoring of the athletes’ health in accordance with the latest recommendations regarding health condition and medical history, physical working capacity, training period and programme, recovery, nutrition, use of supplements, injuries prevention and safe return to play. In order to harmonise these national variations in the content and application of the PPE, the EFSMA Scientific and Educational Commission proposes a ‘gold standard’ for elite athletes across Europe. Important objectives of PPE are early detection and prevention of severe complications during sports activities both in leisure time and competitive sports. The PPE should entail the following diagnostic components: health status, anthropometry, functional and exercise capacity. It is of utmost importance to develop and implement preventive strategies such as the PPE. Besides monitoring the health status of athletes, the PPE plays an important role in the selection process, bringing valuable information for coaches and supporting a personalised treatment approach. Screening of athletes through a standardised digital PPE could be beneficial for a better understanding of the impact of long-term physical activity. Furthermore, PPE leads the scientific community to a way of working closer together in the interest of the athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Mirela Ionescu
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Sports Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Yannis P Pitsiladis
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Collaborating Centre of Sports Medicine, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, UK
| | - Sandra Rozenstoka
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Xavier Bigard
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Union Cycliste Internationale, Aigle, Switzerland
| | - Herbert Löllgen
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Practice for Cardiology, Sports Medicine, Remscheid, Germany
| | - Norbert Bachl
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Austrian Institute of Sports Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andre Debruyne
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Pigozzi
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Sports Medicine Unit, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Casasco
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Italian Sports Medicine Federation, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Jegier
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Sports Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Alina Maria Smaranda
- Sports Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Adela Caramoci
- Sports Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Theodora Papadopoulou
- European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Lower Limbs- ADMR Hip & Groin, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court, Loughborought, UK
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2
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MacLachlan H, Drezner JA. Cardiac evaluation of young athletes: Time for a risk-based approach? Clin Cardiol 2020; 43:906-914. [PMID: 32242971 PMCID: PMC7403680 DOI: 10.1002/clc.23364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre‐participation cardiovascular screening (PPCS) is recommended by several scientific and sporting organizations on the premise that early detection of cardiac disease provides a platform for individualized risk assessment and management; which has been proven to lower mortality rates for certain conditions associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). What constitutes the most effective strategy for PPCS of young athletes remains a topic of considerable debate. The addition of the electrocardiogram (ECG) to the medical history and physical examination undoubtedly enhances early detection of disease, which meets the primary objective of PPCS. The benefit of enhanced sensitivity must be carefully balanced against the risk of potential harm through increased false‐positive findings, costly downstream investigations, and unnecessary restriction/disqualification from competitive sports. To mitigate this risk, it is essential that ECG‐based PPCS programs are implemented by institutions with a strong infrastructure and by physicians appropriately trained in modern ECG standards with adequate cardiology resources to guide downstream investigations. While PPCS is compulsory for most competitive athletes, the current debate surrounding ECG‐based programs exists in a binary form; whereby ECG screening is mandated for all competitive athletes or none at all. This polarized approach fails to consider individualized patient risk and the available sports cardiology resources. The limitations of a uniform approach are highlighted by evolving data, which suggest that athletes display a differential risk profile for SCA/SCD, which is influenced by age, sex, ethnicity, sporting discipline, and standard of play. Evaluation of the etiology of SCA/SCD within high‐risk populations reveals a disproportionately higher prevalence of ECG‐detectable conditions. Selective ECG screening using a risk‐based approach may, therefore, offer a more cost‐effective and feasible approach to PPCS in the setting of limited sports cardiology resources, although this approach is not without important ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish MacLachlan
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St Georges University of London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine and the Center for Sports Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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3
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Sharma S, Drezner JA, Baggish A, Papadakis M, Wilson MG, Prutkin JM, La Gerche A, Ackerman MJ, Borjesson M, Salerno JC, Asif IM, Owens DS, Chung EH, Emery MS, Froelicher VF, Heidbuchel H, Adamuz C, Asplund CA, Cohen G, Harmon KG, Marek JC, Molossi S, Niebauer J, Pelto HF, Perez MV, Riding NR, Saarel T, Schmied CM, Shipon DM, Stein R, Vetter VL, Pelliccia A, Corrado D. International recommendations for electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes. Eur Heart J 2019; 39:1466-1480. [PMID: 28329355 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. A variety of mostly hereditary, structural, or electrical cardiac disorders are associated with SCD in young athletes, the majority of which can be identified or suggested by abnormalities on a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Whether used for diagnostic or screening purposes, physicians responsible for the cardiovascular care of athletes should be knowledgeable and competent in ECG interpretation in athletes. However, in most countries a shortage of physician expertise limits wider application of the ECG in the care of the athlete. A critical need exists for physician education in modern ECG interpretation that distinguishes normal physiological adaptations in athletes from distinctly abnormal findings suggestive of underlying pathology. Since the original 2010 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes, ECG standards have evolved quickly over the last decade; pushed by a growing body of scientific data that both tests proposed criteria sets and establishes new evidence to guide refinements. On 26-27 February 2015, an international group of experts in sports cardiology, inherited cardiac disease, and sports medicine convened in Seattle, Washington, to update contemporary standards for ECG interpretation in athletes. The objective of the meeting was to define and revise ECG interpretation standards based on new and emerging research and to develop a clear guide to the proper evaluation of ECG abnormalities in athletes. This statement represents an international consensus for ECG interpretation in athletes and provides expert opinion-based recommendations linking specific ECG abnormalities and the secondary evaluation for conditions associated with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, UK
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusettes General Hospital, MA, USA
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, UK
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Jordan M Prutkin
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Department of Cardiology, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, MN, USA
| | - Mats Borjesson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Jack C Salerno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - David S Owens
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eugene H Chung
- Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, NC, USA
| | - Michael S Emery
- Center of Cardiovascular Care in Athletics, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN, USA
| | | | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Department of Cardiology, Arrhythmology Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Cardiology, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Adamuz
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | | | - Gordon Cohen
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly G Harmon
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Silvana Molossi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, TX, USA
| | - Josef Niebauer
- University Institute of Sports Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Austria
| | - Hank F Pelto
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marco V Perez
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Nathan R Riding
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Tess Saarel
- Pediatric Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, OH, USA
| | | | - David M Shipon
- Heart Center of Philadelphia, Jefferson University Hospitals, PA, USA
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Clinicas de Porte Allegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Italy
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Schneiter S, Trachsel LD, Perrin T, Albrecht S, Pirrello T, Eser P, Gojanovic B, Menafoglio A, Wilhelm M. Inter-observer agreement in athletes ECG interpretation using the recent international recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes among observers with different levels of expertise. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206072. [PMID: 30462649 PMCID: PMC6248914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION International criteria for the interpretation of the athlete's electrocardiogram (ECG) have been proposed. We aimed to evaluate the inter-observer agreement among observers with different levels of expertise. METHODS Consecutive ECGs of Swiss elite athletes (≥14 years), recorded during routine pre-participation screening between 2013 and 2016 at the Swiss Federal Institute of Sports were analysed. A medical student (A), a cardiology fellow (B) and an electrophysiologist (C) interpreted the ECG's independently according to the most recent criteria. The frequencies and percentages for each observer were calculated. An inter-observer reliability analysis using Cohen Kappa (κ) statistics was used to determine consistency among observers. RESULTS A total of 287 ECGs (64.1% males) were analysed. Mean age of the athletes was 20.4±4.9 years. The prevalence of abnormal ECG findings was 1.4%. Both, normal and borderline findings in athletes showed moderate to good agreement between all observers. κ scores for abnormal findings resulted in excellent agreement (κ 0.855 in observer A vs C and B vs C to κ 1.000 in observer A vs B). Overall agreement ranged from moderate (κ 0.539; 0.419-0.685 95% CI) between observer B vs C to good agreement (κ 0.720; 0.681-0.821 95% CI) between observer A vs B. CONCLUSIONS Our cohort of elite athletes had a low prevalence of abnormal ECGs. Agreement in abnormal ECG findings with the use of the recently published International recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes among observers with different levels of expertise was excellent. ECG interpretation resulted in moderate to good overall agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Schneiter
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), Bern, Switzerland
| | - L. D. Trachsel
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), Bern, Switzerland
| | - T. Perrin
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), Bern, Switzerland
| | - S. Albrecht
- Swiss Federal Institute of Sports, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Magglingen, Switzerland
| | - T. Pirrello
- Swiss Federal Institute of Sports, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Magglingen, Switzerland
| | - P. Eser
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), Bern, Switzerland
| | - B. Gojanovic
- La Tour Sport Medicine, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Hôpital de La Tour, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - A. Menafoglio
- Clinic for Cardiology, Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - M. Wilhelm
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), Bern, Switzerland
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Dhutia H, MacLachlan H. Cardiac Screening of Young Athletes: a Practical Approach to Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE 2018; 20:85. [PMID: 30155696 PMCID: PMC6132782 DOI: 10.1007/s11936-018-0681-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We aim to report on the current status of cardiovascular screening of athletes worldwide and review the up-to-date evidence for its efficacy in reducing sudden cardiac death in young athletes. RECENT FINDINGS A large proportion of sudden cardiac death in young individuals and athletes occurs during rest with sudden arrhythmic death syndrome being recognised as the leading cause. The international recommendations for ECG interpretation have reduced the false-positive ECG rate to 3% and reduced the cost of screening by 25% without compromising the sensitivity to identify serious disease. There are some quality control issues that have been recently identified including the necessity for further training to guide physicians involved in screening young athletes. Improvements in our understanding of young sudden cardiac death and ECG interpretation guideline modification to further differentiate physiological ECG patterns from those that may represent underlying disease have significantly improved the efficacy of screening to levels that may make screening more attractive and feasible to sporting organisations as a complementary strategy to increased availability of automated external defibrillators to reduce the overall burden of young sudden cardiac death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshil Dhutia
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's University of London, London, UK.
- Department of Cardiology, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
| | - Hamish MacLachlan
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's University of London, London, UK
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6
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Riding NR, Drezner JA. Performance of the BMJ learning training modules for ECG interpretation in athletes. Heart 2018; 104:2051-2057. [DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2018-313066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess the accuracy of interpreting the athlete’s ECG both pre and post a series of online training modules among a range of healthcare professionals. 10 512 healthcare professionals from 138 different nations commenced the online course. These were primarily doctors (43%), nurses (18.4%) and other healthcare professionals (3.9%). The users came from 102 different specialities, with General Practice/Family Medicine (24.5%), Cardiology (10.6%), Emergency Medicine (8.7%) and Sports Medicine (6.6%) predominating. Among the 2023 users who completed both the pre-course and post-course test, there was an overall improvement of 15.3% (95% CI 13.9% to 16.6%; p<0.001). 930 completed all four other modules, and these users fared significantly better (18.7% increase; 95% CI 17.3 to 20.0) than those completing no additional modules (11.7% increase; 95% CI 3.3 to 17.7, p=0.036). Demographic analysis showed that while the starting pre-test scores varied significantly between profession/specialty groups (57.8%–82.6%), post-test scores were largely consistent (80.8%–84.6%). Although users showed the most improvement when interpreting primary electrical diseases (12.4% increase), it was also an area of notable weakness compared with the modules of normal training-related findings and cardiomyopathies. With the evolving criteria for ECG interpretation eliciting ever improving levels of specificity and sensitivity in the detection of conditions associated with sudden cardiac death among athletes, training is required to ensure the infrastructure and personnel is in place to uphold these standards. The BMJ Learning course presented is a valuable first step and demonstrates that such an online tool can be effective in aiding ECG interpretation among healthcare professionals globally.
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7
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Miars CW, Stamatis A, Morgan GB, Drezner JA. Cardiovascular Screening Practices and Attitudes From the NCAA Autonomous "Power" 5 Conferences. Sports Health 2018; 10:547-551. [PMID: 29792780 PMCID: PMC6204637 DOI: 10.1177/1941738118775039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The development of athlete-specific electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation standards, along with recent rates of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes being higher than previously estimated, has heightened the debate in the sports medicine community regarding cardiovascular screening of the college athlete, including whether certain high-risk subsets, such as male basketball athletes, should undergo more intensive screening. HYPOTHESIS: ECG and/or echocardiography screening in National Collegiate Athletic Association Autonomous 5 Division I (A5DI) schools will be more common than previous reports, and there will be more frequent use of noninvasive cardiac screening for men's basketball players than the general athlete population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, quantitative study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. METHODS: The head team physician for each of the 65 schools in the A5DI conferences was contacted to complete an anonymous survey regarding cardiovascular screening practices at their institution. The survey inquired about current screening protocols, whether SCD epidemiology (SCD-E) was considered in establishing those practices, and whether awareness of present epidemiology altered physician attitudes toward screening. RESULTS: A total of 45 of the 65 team physicians (69%) responded. All schools reported performing history and a physical evaluation. While 17 (38%) perform only history and physical, 26 (58%) also include an ECG, and 12 (27%) include echocardiography for all student-athletes. Specifically for male basketball athletes, 10 (22%) schools perform only history and physical, 32 (71%) include ECG, and 20 (45%) include echocardiography. Additionally, 64% reported using SCD-E in developing their screening protocol. Those that had not considered SCD-E indicated they were unlikely to change their screening protocol when presented with current SCD-E. CONCLUSION: The majority (62%) of A5DI institutions include ECG and/or echocardiography as part of their cardiovascular screening of all athletes, increasing to 78% when specifically analyzing male basketball athletes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A5DI institutions, presumably with greater resources, have largely implemented more intensive cardiovascular screening than just history and physical for all student-athletes and specifically for men's basketball-the athlete group at greatest risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Stamatis
- Department of Sport and Wellness, State University of New York Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, New York
| | - Grant B Morgan
- Department of Educational Psychology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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8
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AMSSM Position Statement on Cardiovascular Preparticipation Screening in Athletes: Current Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, Recommendations, and Future Directions: Erratum. Clin J Sport Med 2018; 28:324. [PMID: 29762263 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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9
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Meziab O, Abrams DJ, Alexander ME, Bevilacqua L, Bezzerides V, Mah DY, Walsh EP, Triedman JK. Utility of incomplete right bundle branch block as an isolated ECG finding in children undergoing initial cardiac evaluation. CONGENIT HEART DIS 2018; 13:419-427. [PMID: 29431296 DOI: 10.1111/chd.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the ability of experienced pediatric electrophysiologists (EPs) to reliably classify incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB) and assesses its clinical utility as an isolated ECG finding in a group of healthy outpatient children without prior cardiac evaluation. DESIGN We performed a retrospective analysis of all electrocardiographic and echocardiographic records at Boston Children's Hospital between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014. Echocardiographic diagnoses were identified if registered between the date of the index electrocardiogram and the ensuing year. A selected subset of 473 ECGs was subsequently reanalyzed in a blinded manner by six pediatric EPs to determine the consistency with which the finding of IRBBB could be assigned. RESULTS Of the 331 278 ECGs registered in the BCH database, 32 127 (9.7%) met inclusion criteria and were analyzed for the prevalence of isolated right bundle conduction disturbance findings. The mean age was 12.1 ± 4.0 years, and the population was 49% male. Of the 32 127 ECGs, 72.5% were coded normal, 3.0% were coded IRBBB, and 0.5% were coded complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB). A total of 7.3% of patients coded as normal had an ensuing echocardiogram, compared to 12.5% coded IRBBB. Echo findings were recorded in 0.1% of normal and 0.2% of IRBBB. Patients with ASD-secundum type were no more likely to have isolated IRBBB on previous ECG than the general population (2.5% vs 3.0%). Analysis of inter-reader variability in ECG findings and conduction disturbance identification was high (range of IRBBB prevalence 1-20% among readers). Reinterpretation of ECGs using explicit diagnostic criteria did not demonstrate consistent discrimination of IRBBB and Normal ECGs. CONCLUSIONS IRBBB is not uncommon in a healthy school age population and is observed to have high inter-reader variability. It was associated with increased use of echocardiographic exam but was not associated with increased rate of echocardiographic findings when compared with rates for normal ECGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Meziab
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Doug Y Mah
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Dhutia H, Malhotra A, Yeo TJ, Ster IC, Gabus V, Steriotis A, Dores H, Mellor G, García-Corrales C, Ensam B, Jayalapan V, Ezzat VA, Finocchiaro G, Gati S, Papadakis M, Tome-Esteban M, Sharma S. Inter-Rater Reliability and Downstream Financial Implications of Electrocardiography Screening in Young Athletes. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2017; 10:e003306. [DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.116.003306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harshil Dhutia
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Aneil Malhotra
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Tee Joo Yeo
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Irina Chis Ster
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Vincent Gabus
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Alexandros Steriotis
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Helder Dores
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Greg Mellor
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Carmen García-Corrales
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Bode Ensam
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Viknesh Jayalapan
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Vivienne Anne Ezzat
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Gherardo Finocchiaro
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Sabiha Gati
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Michael Papadakis
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Maria Tome-Esteban
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- From the Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group (H.D., A.M., G.F., S.G., M.P., M.T., S.S.) and Institute of Infection and Immunity (I.C.S.), St. George’s University of London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, China (T.J.Y.); Service of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland (V.G.); Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S., V.A.E.); Armed Forces
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11
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Sharma S, Drezner JA, Baggish A, Papadakis M, Wilson MG, Prutkin JM, La Gerche A, Ackerman MJ, Borjesson M, Salerno JC, Asif IM, Owens DS, Chung EH, Emery MS, Froelicher VF, Heidbuchel H, Adamuz C, Asplund CA, Cohen G, Harmon KG, Marek JC, Molossi S, Niebauer J, Pelto HF, Perez MV, Riding NR, Saarel T, Schmied CM, Shipon DM, Stein R, Vetter VL, Pelliccia A, Corrado D. International Recommendations for Electrocardiographic Interpretation in Athletes. J Am Coll Cardiol 2017; 69:1057-1075. [PMID: 28231933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. A variety of mostly hereditary, structural, or electrical cardiac disorders are associated with SCD in young athletes, the majority of which can be identified or suggested by abnormalities on a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Whether used for diagnostic or screening purposes, physicians responsible for the cardiovascular care of athletes should be knowledgeable and competent in ECG interpretation in athletes. However, in most countries a shortage of physician expertise limits wider application of the ECG in the care of the athlete. A critical need exists for physician education in modern ECG interpretation that distinguishes normal physiological adaptations in athletes from distinctly abnormal findings suggestive of underlying pathology. Since the original 2010 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes, ECG standards have evolved quickly over the last decade; pushed by a growing body of scientific data that both tests proposed criteria sets and establishes new evidence to guide refinements. On February 26-27, 2015, an international group of experts in sports cardiology, inherited cardiac disease, and sports medicine convened in Seattle, Washington, to update contemporary standards for ECG interpretation in athletes. The objective of the meeting was to define and revise ECG interpretation standards based on new and emerging research and to develop a clear guide to the proper evaluation of ECG abnormalities in athletes. This statement represents an international consensus for ECG interpretation in athletes and provides expert opinion-based recommendations linking specific ECG abnormalities and the secondary evaluation for conditions associated with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group, St George's University of London, United Kingdom.
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group, St George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Jordan M Prutkin
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Department of Cardiology, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Mats Borjesson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Jack C Salerno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina
| | - David S Owens
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Eugene H Chung
- Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Michael S Emery
- Center of Cardiovascular Care in Athletics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Department of Cardiology, Arrhythmology Hasselt University, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Adamuz
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | | | - Gordon Cohen
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Kimberly G Harmon
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Silvana Molossi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Josef Niebauer
- University Institute of Sports Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Austria
| | - Hank F Pelto
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marco V Perez
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Nathan R Riding
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Tess Saarel
- Pediatric Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - David M Shipon
- Heart Center of Philadelphia, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Clinicas de Porte Allegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Italy
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12
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Drezner JA, Sharma S, Baggish A, Papadakis M, Wilson MG, Prutkin JM, Gerche AL, Ackerman MJ, Borjesson M, Salerno JC, Asif IM, Owens DS, Chung EH, Emery MS, Froelicher VF, Heidbuchel H, Adamuz C, Asplund CA, Cohen G, Harmon KG, Marek JC, Molossi S, Niebauer J, Pelto HF, Perez MV, Riding NR, Saarel T, Schmied CM, Shipon DM, Stein R, Vetter VL, Pelliccia A, Corrado D. International criteria for electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes: Consensus statement. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51:704-731. [PMID: 28258178 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. A variety of mostly hereditary, structural or electrical cardiac disorders are associated with SCD in young athletes, the majority of which can be identified or suggested by abnormalities on a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Whether used for diagnostic or screening purposes, physicians responsible for the cardiovascular care of athletes should be knowledgeable and competent in ECG interpretation in athletes. However, in most countries a shortage of physician expertise limits wider application of the ECG in the care of the athlete. A critical need exists for physician education in modern ECG interpretation that distinguishes normal physiological adaptations in athletes from distinctly abnormal findings suggestive of underlying pathology. Since the original 2010 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes, ECG standards have evolved quickly, advanced by a growing body of scientific data and investigations that both examine proposed criteria sets and establish new evidence to guide refinements. On 26-27 February 2015, an international group of experts in sports cardiology, inherited cardiac disease, and sports medicine convened in Seattle, Washington (USA), to update contemporary standards for ECG interpretation in athletes. The objective of the meeting was to define and revise ECG interpretation standards based on new and emerging research and to develop a clear guide to the proper evaluation of ECG abnormalities in athletes. This statement represents an international consensus for ECG interpretation in athletes and provides expert opinion-based recommendations linking specific ECG abnormalities and the secondary evaluation for conditions associated with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, US
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jordan M Prutkin
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Paediatric, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mats Borjesson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden.,Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Jack C Salerno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, US
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina, Greenville, USA
| | - David S Owens
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eugene H Chung
- Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael S Emery
- Center of Cardiovascular Care in Athletics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Carmen Adamuz
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Gordon Cohen
- Division of Paediatric Surgery, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA.,Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kimberly G Harmon
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Silvana Molossi
- Division of Pediatric, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Josef Niebauer
- University Institute of Sports Medicine, Research Institute of Molecular Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hank F Pelto
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Marco V Perez
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nathan R Riding
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tess Saarel
- Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - David M Shipon
- Heart Centre of Philadelphia, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Victoria L Vetter
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac Science, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy.,Department of Thoracic Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy.,Department of Vascular Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy
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13
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Drezner JA, O'Connor FG, Harmon KG, Fields KB, Asplund CA, Asif IM, Price DE, Dimeff RJ, Bernhardt DT, Roberts WO. AMSSM Position Statement on Cardiovascular Preparticipation Screening in Athletes: Current Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, Recommendations and Future Directions. Curr Sports Med Rep 2017; 15:359-75. [PMID: 27618246 DOI: 10.1249/jsr.0000000000000296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular screening in young athletes is widely recommended and routinely performed prior to participation in competitive sports. While there is general agreement that early detection of cardiac conditions at risk for sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) is an important objective, the optimal strategy for cardiovascular screening in athletes remains an issue of considerable debate. At the center of the controversy is the addition of a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) to the standard preparticipation evaluation using history and physical examination. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) formed a task force to address the current evidence and knowledge gaps regarding preparticipation cardiovascular screening in athletes from the perspective of a primary care sports medicine physician. The absence of definitive outcomes-based evidence at this time precludes AMSSM from endorsing any single or universal cardiovascular screening strategy for all athletes, including legislative mandates. This statement presents a new paradigm to assist the individual physician in assessing the most appropriate cardiovascular screening strategy unique to their athlete population, community needs, and resources. The decision to implement a cardiovascular screening program, with or without the addition of ECG, necessitates careful consideration of the risk of SCA/D in the targeted population and the availability of cardiology resources and infrastructure. Importantly, it is the individual physician's assessment in the context of an emerging evidence-base that the chosen model for early detection of cardiac disorders in the specific population provides greater benefit than harm. AMSSM is committed to advancing evidenced-based research and educational initiatives that will validate and promote the most efficacious strategies to foster safe sport participation and reduce SCA/D in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Drezner
- 1Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; 2Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; 3Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC; 4Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA; 5Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina Greenville School of Medicine, Greenville, SC; 6Department of Family Medicine, Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, NC; 7Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Family & Community Medicine, and Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX; 8Departments of Pediatrics, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; 9Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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14
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Drezner JA, O'Connor FG, Harmon KG, Fields KB, Asplund CA, Asif IM, Price DE, Dimeff RJ, Bernhardt DT, Roberts WO. AMSSM Position Statement on Cardiovascular Preparticipation Screening in Athletes: Current evidence, knowledge gaps, recommendations and future directions. Br J Sports Med 2016; 51:153-167. [PMID: 27660369 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular screening in young athletes is widely recommended and routinely performed prior to participation in competitive sports. While there is general agreement that early detection of cardiac conditions at risk for sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) is an important objective, the optimal strategy for cardiovascular screening in athletes remains an issue of considerable debate. At the centre of the controversy is the addition of a resting ECG to the standard preparticipation evaluation using history and physical examination. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) formed a task force to address the current evidence and knowledge gaps regarding preparticipation cardiovascular screening in athletes from the perspective of a primary care sports medicine physician. The absence of definitive outcome-based evidence at this time precludes AMSSM from endorsing any single or universal cardiovascular screening strategy for all athletes, including legislative mandates. This statement presents a new paradigm to assist the individual physician in assessing the most appropriate cardiovascular screening strategy unique to their athlete population, community needs and resources. The decision to implement a cardiovascular screening programme, with or without the addition of ECG, necessitates careful consideration of the risk of SCA/D in the targeted population and the availability of cardiology resources and infrastructure. Importantly, it is the individual physician's assessment in the context of an emerging evidence base that the chosen model for early detection of cardiac disorders in the specific population provides greater benefit than harm. AMSSM is committed to advancing evidenced-based research and educational initiatives that will validate and promote the most efficacious strategies to foster safe sport participation and reduce SCA/D in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Francis G O'Connor
- Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimberly G Harmon
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Karl B Fields
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Chad A Asplund
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina Greenville School of Medicine, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
| | - David E Price
- Department of Family Medicine, Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert J Dimeff
- Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Family and Community Medicine, and Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - David T Bernhardt
- Departments of Pediatrics, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William O Roberts
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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15
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Abstract
This article summarizes the role of the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) for the clinical care of athletes, with particular reference to the influence of age, gender, ethnicity, and type of sport on the appearance of the ECG, and its role in differentiating physiologic exercise-related changes from pathologic conditions implicated in sudden cardiac death (SCD). The article also explores the potential role of the ECG in detecting athletes at risk of SCD. In addition, the article reviews the evolution of ECG interpretation criteria and emphasizes the limitations of the ECG as well as the potential for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tee Joo Yeo
- Cardiac Department, National University Heart Centre, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 678267, Singapore
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiovascular & Cell Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, St George's University NHS Foundation Trust, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
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16
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Harmon KG, Drezner JA, O'Connor FG, Asplund C, Finnoff JT. Should Electrocardiograms Be Part of the Preparticipation Physical Examination? PM R 2016; 8:S24-35. [PMID: 26972265 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly G Harmon
- Sports Medicine Section, Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Sports Medicine Center at Husky Stadium UW Medicine, Seattle, WA(∗)
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Sports Medicine Section, Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Sports Medicine Center at Husky Stadium UW Medicine, Seattle, WA(†)
| | - Francis G O'Connor
- Military and Emergency Medicine, Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD(‡)
| | - Chad Asplund
- Athletic Medicine, Health Services Division, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA(§)
| | - Jonathan T Finnoff
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester; and Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, 600 Hennepin Ave, #310, Minneapolis, MN 55403(‖).
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17
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Chatard JC, Mujika I, Goiriena JJ, Carré F. Screening young athletes for prevention of sudden cardiac death: Practical recommendations for sports physicians. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2015; 26:362-74. [PMID: 26432052 DOI: 10.1111/sms.12502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Regular intensive exercise in athletes increases the relative risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) compared with the relatively sedentary population. Most cases of SCD are due to silent cardiovascular diseases, and pre-participation screening of athletes at risk of SCD is thus of major importance. However, medical guidelines and recommendations differ widely between countries. In Italy, the National Health System recommends pre-participation screening for all competitive athletes including personal and family history, a physical examination, and a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). In the United States, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommend a pre-participation screening program limited to the use of specific questionnaires and a clinical examination. The value of a 12-lead ECG is debated based on issues surrounding cost-efficiency and feasibility. The aim of this review was to focus on (i) the incidence rate of cardiac diseases in relation to SCD; (ii) the value of conducting a questionnaire and a physical examination; (iii) the value of a 12-lead resting ECG; (iv) the importance of other cardiac evaluations in the prevention of SCD; and (v) the best practice for pre-participation screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-C Chatard
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Jacques Lisfranc, University of Lyon-Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - I Mujika
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Basque Country, Spain.,School of Kinesiology and Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
| | - J J Goiriena
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
| | - F Carré
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
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18
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Braber TL, Prakken NHJ, Mosterd A, Mali WPTM, Doevendans PAFM, Bots ML, Velthuis BK. Identifying Coronary Artery Disease in Asymptomatic Middle-Aged Sportsmen: The Additional Value of Pulse Wave Velocity. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131895. [PMID: 26147752 PMCID: PMC4493032 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiovascular screening may benefit middle-aged sportsmen, as coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of exercise-related sudden cardiac death. Arterial stiffness, as measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), may help identify sportsmen with subclinical CAD. We examined the additional value of PWV measurements to traditional CAD risk factors for identifying CAD. Methods From the Measuring Athlete’s Risk of Cardiovascular events (MARC) cohort of asymptomatic, middle-aged sportsmen who underwent low-dose Cardiac CT (CCT) after routine sports medical examination (SME), 193 consecutive sportsmen (aged 55±6.6 years) were included with additional PWV measurements before CCT. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of PWV values (>8.3 and >7.5m/s) assessed by Arteriograph were used to identify CAD (coronary artery calcium scoring ≥100 Agatston Units or coronary CT angiography luminal stenosis ≥50%) and to assess the additional diagnostic value of PWV to established cardiovascular risk factors. Results Forty-seven sportsmen (24%) had CAD on CCT. They were older (58.9 vs. 53.8 years, p<0.001), had more hypertension (17 vs. 4%, p=0.003), higher cholesterol levels (5.7 vs. 5.4mmol/l) p=0.048), and more often were (ever) smokers (55 vs. 34%, p=0.008). Mean PWV was higher in those with CAD (8.9 vs. 8.0 m/s, p=0.017). For PWV >8.3m/s respectively >7.5m/s sensitivity to detect CAD on CT was 43% and 74%, specificity 69% and 45%, positive predictive value 31% and 30%, and negative predictive value 79% and 84%. Adding PWV to traditional risk factor models did not change the area under the curve (from 0.78 (95% CI = 0.709-0.848)) to AUC 0.78 (95% CI 0.710-0.848, p = 0.99)) for prediction of CAD on CCT. Conclusions Limited additional value was found for PWV on top of established risk factors to identify CAD. PWV might still have a role to identify CAD in middle-aged sportsmen if risk factors such as cholesterol are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs L. Braber
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Niek H. J. Prakken
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arend Mosterd
- Department of Cardiology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Michiel L. Bots
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
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A decade of athlete ECG criteria: Where we’ve come and where we’re going. J Electrocardiol 2015; 48:324-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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20
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The effectiveness of screening history, physical exam, and ECG to detect potentially lethal cardiac disorders in athletes: A systematic review/meta-analysis. J Electrocardiol 2015; 48:329-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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21
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Sharma S, Dhutia H. Variation of electrocardiogram interpretation: yet another contributor to the Achilles heel of pre-participation electrocardiographic programmes in athletes. Europace 2015; 17:1323-4. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/euv085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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22
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Pluim BM, Drezner JA. BJSM education to improve your ECG reading skills. Br J Sports Med 2015; 49:703-4. [PMID: 25807154 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Babette M Pluim
- Medical Department, Royal Netherlands Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB), Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Asif IM, Harmon KG. The Role of Screening for Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Competitive Athletes: A Critical Review. CURRENT PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40141-014-0072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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24
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Modest agreement in ECG interpretation limits the application of ECG screening in young athletes. Heart Rhythm 2015; 12:130-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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