Sudden cardiac death in athletes: a guide for emergency physicians.
A conditioned athlete is usually regarded as a member of the healthiest segment of society, and exercise itself is looked upon as a means to improve health. Although extremely uncommon, sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes is a devastating medical event to all involved (patient, family, community, team, and caregivers). Most etiologies of SCD in athletes result in the same final common denominator (cardiac arrest) on presentation to an emergency physician. There are, however, certain historic, physical examination, and electrocardiographic features of many of these disease processes that emergency physicians should have a working knowledge of to try to identify them before they result in SCD. This review examines the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and management options applicable to emergency practitioners.
Germann
Carl A
CA
Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME 04102, USA.
Perron
Andrew D
AD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004300:Doping in Sports; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D013566:Sympathomimetics