title: Sudden cardiac death in athletes.
abstract: The impact of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes has been highlighted by increasing media coverage, as well as medical and lay awareness of the entities associated with SCD. Common etiologies include cardiac abnormalities such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD), and coronary artery anomalies, each with varying geographic incidence. New recommendations regarding noninvasive preparticipation screening have emerged in Europe, where the Italian experience of mandatory annual screening of athletes has been the forerunner in efforts to identify individuals at risk. Ongoing clinical efforts are underway to help define the role of implantable cardioverter defibrillators as a preventive measure in appropriate candidates with HCM or ARVD, as well as methods to limit the potential for SCD as a result of chest blows sustained in sports and other recreational activities by means of chest protectors and special sporting equipment for young athletes.
authors.affiliation: Tufts-New England Medical Center, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, 750 Washington Street, Box #197,Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hedrich
authors.forename: N A Mark
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Link
mesh_terms: D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D010358:Patient Participation; D013177:Sports; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology