Cardiovascular Screening before Sports Participation: Results of 11487 Children

Aim In this study, it is aimed to analyze the data of children who were referred to our clinic for pre-participation sports screening. Methods Data, between September 2017 and December 2021, had been analyzed. All these subjects had been questioned for their personal and family medical stories and examined for cardiovascular system findings. Electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography were applied to all of them. Results 11487 children were consulted to the cardiology clinic for pre-sports participation screening. The mean age was 12.7 +/- 4,57 (7-18 years). 34/11487(0,29 %) subjects weren't allowed to participate in sports activities at first. In 23 of 34 subjects, cardiac arrhythmias were established. 15 had Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, 3 subjects had ventricular extrasystole, and also ventricular tachycardia in one of them. Four subjects had long QT syndrome and one had ST elevation with the pre-diagnosis of coronary artery disease. ECG screening alone aided in identifying asymptomatic (0.05 %) that could have been potentially at risk for sudden cardiac death. Conclusion Positive ECG and echocardiography findings involve a very little ratio.But ECG involves an important tool for screening lethal cardiac arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients. If ECG or echocardiography couldn't be taken, further evaluation should be necessary with symptoms and/or family history.

Automated summary

This study aimed to analyze data from children undergoing pre-participation sports screening. The results showed the importance of using electrocardiography and echocardiography to screen for cardiac abnormalities, as a small percentage of children had potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias.