Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The purpose of this study is to provide education, prevention, and research of SCD in athletes. This study was conducted to present research in the support of mandating the electrocardiogram (ECG) as part of the NCAA pre-participation physical exam (PPE). The Max Schewitz Foundation conducted the cardiac screening at Carthage College in May of 2014. A total of 455 athletes received 12-lead ECGs. Athletes with abnormal ECGs and male basketball players, a total of 25 athletes, received an echocardiogram (ECHO) onsite. A total of 6 (1.31%) of the 455 athletes screened received an abnormal screen and were sent for further testing. Upon further testing one athlete (0.22%) was deemed a transient finding. One athlete (0.22%) was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and was removed from athletic participation. Four athletes (0.09%) were diagnosed with a cardiovascular abnormality, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), pre-ventricular contractions (PVCs), and right bundle branch block (RBBB), and still are participating in athletics. One athlete (0.22%) was diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) from an abnormal ECHO with a normal ECG. History and physical exam alone are not enough to decrease the risk of SCD in athletes. Implementing the ECG as part of the PPE in NCAA collegiate athletics will reduce the risk of SCD.