Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death In Young Athletes

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the number one cause of death in young athletes. SCD is different than the cardiac remodeling that occurs with regular, high-intensity exercise. Cardiac remodeling due to exercise is non-pathologic and often minimal while SCD is pathologic. SCD is caused by a multitude of underlying cardiac disorders with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), commotio cordis, myocarditis, Marfan syndrome, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) being the top causes. Three of these top five causes are identifiable through electrocardiogram (ECG). The pre-participation screening suggested by the American Heart Association (AHA) does not include an ECG in the process. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does require an ECG and have a considerably fewer number of SCDs in young athletes. This study serves to outline the top causes of SCD as well as explore the possibility of adding an ECG to the pre-screening process through literature review and case studies.