Sports-related sudden cardiac death in the general population

January 01, 0001

Sports-related sudden cardiac death in the general population

Sports-related sudden cardiac death is a known, if rare, risk for young competitive athletes. These French and Australian researchers wanted to better characterize sports-related sudden death in the general population. They utilized data from a prospective French national survey covering patients aged 10-75. Information from national ambulance service reporting media releases were also utilized in case-finding.

The researchers found: "The overall burden of sports-related sudden death was 4.6 cases per million population per year, with 6% of cases occurring in young competitive athletes. Sensitivity analyses used to address suspected underreporting demonstrated an incidence ranging from 5 to 17 new cases per million population per year. More than 90% of cases occurred in the context of recreational sports. The age of subjects was relatively young (mean±SD 46±15 years), with a predominance of men (95%). Although most cases were witnessed (93%), bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was only commenced in 30.7% of cases. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (odds ratio 3.73) and initial use of cardiac defibrillation (odds ratio 3.71) were the strongest independent predictors for survival to hospital discharge (15.7%)."

The researchers concluded: "Sports-related sudden death in the general population is considerably more common than previously suspected. Most cases are witnessed, yet bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was only initiated in one third of cases. Given the often predictable setting of sports- related sudden death and that prompt interventions were significantly associated with improved survival, these data have implications for health services planning."

This study suggest sports-related sudden cardiac death may be a larger risk than originally thought, and reinforces the importance of proper immediate intervention for survival.

For the full abstract, click here.

Circulation 124(6):672-681, 9 August 2011 © 2011 American Heart Association, Inc.
Sports-Related Sudden Death in the General Population. Eloi Marijon, Muriel Tafflet, David S. Celermajer, et al. Correspondence to Eloi Marijon: [email protected]

Category: K. Circulatory. Keywords: sports, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillator, epidemiological study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 30 August 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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