Best Practice Case Studies-Sudden Cardiac Death

Pdf Summary

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) refers to an unexpected death occurring within an hour from the onset of symptoms, primarily due to heart abnormalities. It affects individuals with both known and unknown cardiac conditions and is particularly notable when it affects young athletes, although it's rare in this group, occurring in about 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 200,000 athletes under age 35. Genetic or congenital heart diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia are common causes in young athletes, while sudden cardiac events in older athletes (over 35) are mainly due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Risk factors for SCD in young athletes include family history of SCD, while in older athletes smoking, hypertension, and sedentary lifestyle contribute.<br /><br />In cases of sudden cardiac arrest, immediate response with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED) is crucial. Early defibrillation, ideally within 3-5 minutes of collapse, significantly impacts survival rates. Post-event, a full cardiac evaluation by a cardiologist is necessary.<br /><br />SCD prevention in young athletes involves periodic physical exams and possibly electrocardiograms (ECGs), though their use is debated due to potential false positives. For older athletes, preventing CAD with regular exercise and medical consultations to manage risk factors (like obesity and diabetes) is essential.<br /><br />Return-to-play decisions are individualized based on the specific cardiac condition that caused the event and may involve consideration of treatments like an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or adjustments to the athlete’s level of physical activity.<br /><br />This information is courtesy of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM), which provides resources and guidance on sports-related healthcare.

Meta Tag

Edition 2nd Edition

Related Case 2nd Edition, CASE 05

Topic Cardiac

Keywords

2nd Edition, CASE 05

2nd Edition

Cardiac

Sudden Cardiac Death

SCD

young athletes

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

coronary artery disease

CPR

AED

cardiac evaluation

prevention

AMSSM