Sudden cardiac death in athletics: Scope of the problem and emergency response

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of exertional death in athletes. An understanding of the most common causes of SCD in athletes can in some cases, equip the team physician to optimize detection and treatment prior to an emergency event. Assessing and carefully planning an emergency SCD response, customized to the sport and venue can improve response time and maximize the chances of a successful resuscitation. AED utilization as early in the process as possible is critical in the emergency action plan in SCD cases. Our knowledge of the utility of non-invasive cardiovascular screening methodologies continues to expand. Many sports medicine programs in Europe and in the United States are employing routine non-invasive cardiovascular screening in the pre participation evaluation of high level competitive athletes to attempt to screen for occult congenital cardiac disease. Further study in the area of cardiac screening in high level athletes is critical in elucidating the role of non-invasive cardiovascular screening, and its role in the prevention of SCD.