Best Practice Case Studies-Sudden Cardiac Death (SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST IN AN OLYMPIC ATHLETE)

Pdf Summary

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) refers to the unexpected death from cardiac causes within a short period, typically an hour after symptom onset. It can affect individuals with or without known heart disease. While rare in athletes, occurring in 1 in 50,000 to 200,000 athletes under 35, it often draws public attention, especially when involving young, healthy individuals. In young athletes, SCD is primarily attributed to genetic or congenital heart diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. In some cases, electrical heart issues like long QT syndrome are suspected when no structural abnormalities are found. Commotio cordis, a rare SCD form, results from chest trauma causing sudden arrhythmia.<br /><br />For athletes over 35, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is the leading cause of SCD, with the risk increasing during exercise, particularly in those leading sedentary lifestyles. The majority of sports-related fatal events occur in recreational athletes with an average age of 46.<br /><br />Symptoms of SCD include exertional chest pain, palpitations, gasping, and sudden loss of consciousness. Risk factors vary with age: young athletes' factors include being male and African-American, while older athletes' risks include lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity.<br /><br />Prompt recognition and response are crucial during a cardiac event. Sports medicine personnel are trained to perform CPR and use an AED. Early defibrillation is critical for survival. Periodic physical exams and, controversially, ECG screenings are used to detect potential cardiac issues. Preventing coronary artery disease is key for older athletes, emphasizing regular exercise and medical evaluations to manage risk factors. Return to play decisions after an SCD event are highly individualized, depending on the exact diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 06

Topic Cardiac

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 06

3rd Edition

Cardiac

Sudden Cardiac Death

athletes

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

long QT syndrome

commotio cordis

atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

risk factors

CPR and AED

ECG screenings