title: The Use of Echocardiograms in Preparticipation Examinations.
abstract: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death during exercise in young athletes. Preparticipation physical examinations were developed to maintain the health and safety of athletes, including the prompt identification of those at risk for SCD. The use of medical history and physical examinations, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, or some combination thereof, is the source of continued debate. This article provides an overview of the etiology of SCD and reviews literature relating to preparticipation echocardiography, with a focus on its evolution, utility, and effectiveness. The limited echocardiogram is a potentially viable screening option yet to be thoroughly explored by experts and policymakers in the sports medicine community.
authors.affiliation: 1Northeastern University, Boston, MA; 2Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; 3Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and 4The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, Waltham, MA.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Deanna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kerkhof
authors.forename: Jacilyn E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: Gianmichel D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Corrado
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013178:Sports Medicine