Integration of 12-Lead Electrocardiograms Into Preparticipation Screenings to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death in High School Athletes

Abstract

Sudden cardiac arrest continues to be the leading cause of death in young athletes despite preparticipation sports screening (PPS). The devastating loss of children to sudden cardiac arrest has led communities to demand more comprehensive heart screenings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a community youth heart screening program in Minnesota. A retrospective chart review of 840 participants aged 14 to 18 years from August 2015 through March 2017 was conducted. Referrals were made for two abnormal electrocardiography results, 12 abnormal echocardiography results, and 59 elevated blood pressure readings. Cross-tabulations showed one participant with an abnormal electrocardiogram and six participants with abnormal echocardiograms who had no other abnormal findings at the screening. Findings were not statistically significant. It was clinically significant that six participants were found to have potentially lethal electrical or structural heart abnormalities who would have otherwise have remained unidentified with the standard preparticipation sports screening guidelines.