The Capacity of Examination of Сhildren by a Family Doctor, as a Factor in the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death

Abstract

The objective: evaluate the prognostic value of the Ruffier test as an indicator of the functional reserve capabilities of the cardiovascular system in children and adolescents.Materials and methods. With a prevention purpose we examined children at the age of 13±3 years (21 boys), who train in the basketball section. All children underwent testing of the Ruffier breakdown and were assigned to the main group with an average Ruffier index of the group 3,0±0,2. At the time of the examination, everyone considered themselves healthy. Children underwent blood pressure measurements, ECG recording at rest, and ultrasound examination of the heart.Results. According to the results of an ECG study, one of the examined had single supraventricular extrasystoles. According to the results of blood pressure measurements in 3 patients (14,2%), hypertension was detected. Based on the results of ultrasound examination of the heart in children who were diagnosed with hypertension, concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle was revealed. It should be emphasized that the autonomic nervous system in children and adolescents prone to functional imbalances, this does not allow us to reliably judge the functional reserve of the heart based on fluctuations in heart rate.Conclusions. The capacity of the preventive examination, which is now being performed by a pediatrician or family doctor, did not allow to reveal heart pathology of any origin. The Ruffier test did not add information to the survey. We consider it appropriate to include the following diagnostic tests in the required scope of the examination:1. Measurement of blood pressure.2. ECG recording at rest.3. Ultrasound examination of the heart.4. Evaluation of the level of TSH and free T4.5. The study of lipid metabolism.6. General blood and urine tests.