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AMSSM Position Statement on Cardiovascular Prepart ...
AMSSM Position Statement on Cardiovascular Preparticipation Screening in Athletes
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Pdf Summary
The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) has released a position statement addressing cardiovascular (CV) preparticipation screening in athletes, which aims to detect cardiac conditions that risk sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D). The statement acknowledges the debate on the optimal strategies for CV screening, particularly concerning the inclusion of a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) alongside the standard history and physical examination. Despite the widespread recommendation for CV screening, there is no conclusive evidence supporting a singular or universal approach. The AMSSM does not endorse legislative mandates for a specific screening protocol due to a lack of definitive outcomes-based evidence.<br /><br />The goal of CV screening is early detection of cardiac disorders to reduce risk through medical management. However, due to varying incidence of SCA/D across different athlete demographics, the recommendations suggest that the screening protocol should be tailored according to the specific needs and resources of the athlete population.<br /><br />The task force evaluated the benefits and limitations of history and physical exams, notably their limited sensitivity (around 20%) in detecting conditions that pose an SCA/D risk. The addition of ECG can improve detection rates but comes with challenges including the potential for false positives and the need for accurate ECG interpretation by trained professionals.<br /><br />AMSSM supports the autonomy of physicians to determine the most suitable CV screening strategy based on available evidence, athlete risk, and community resources. They emphasize the importance of emergency action plans and access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to manage SCA.<br /><br />Future research should focus on the etiology of SCA/D in athletes, the outcomes of CV disorders detected in screenings, and enhancing both history/physical examination and ECG screening methodologies. The AMSSM remains committed to advancing evidence-based research to establish effective strategies for preventing SCA/D in athletes.
Meta Tag
Edition
3rd Edition
Related Case
3rd Edition, CASE 08
Topic
Cardiac
Keywords
3rd Edition, CASE 08
3rd Edition
Cardiac
AMSSM
cardiovascular screening
athletes
sudden cardiac arrest
ECG
screening protocol
cardiac conditions
emergency action plans
evidence-based research
automated external defibrillators
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