[Heart screening of elite athletes].
Sudden cardiac death in competing athletes is usually caused by unsuspected heart disease, and pre-participation screening may reduce the incidence of this tragic event. Although the cost-effectiveness of screening programs is unclear, international sports associations are currently implementing mandatory screening of elite athletes. During the first year of screening in the top Danish soccer league, all athletes were found to be eligible for continued participation in the game, suggesting that concern about false positive screening results may be exaggerated.
Kardiologisk Afdeling P, Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. ljuel@ofir.dk
Lars Juel
LJ
Andersen
Hanne
H
Rasmusen
Jan Kyst
JK
Madsen
Peter Riis
PR
Hansen
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003718:Denmark; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries; D013178:Sports Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult