Pre-participation evaluation of Malaysian university athletes – the importance of cardiovascular screening

• DOI: 10.15282/mohe.v6i2.152
• Publication Date: 2017-07-28T11:36:38Z
• Authors: Zhuang Li Lim; Abdul Halim Mokhtar; Muhammad Rahmani ...
• Keywords: Basketball

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) remains the leading cause of mortality among athletes. Contemporary standards identifying normal physiological adaptations remodeling from regular athletic training based on certain ECG morphology have been clearly defined by ‘Seattle Criteria’ in 2012, with an updated ‘International Consensus’ 2017. In heterogenous Asia, regional SCA/D preponderance data is still lacking. This study aims to report detection potentially dangerous cardiovascular conditions Malaysian university athletes via pre-participation evaluation.Methods: 176 competing 18th ASEAN University Games 2016 were requested attend a centralised evaluation (PPE) prior games. The PPE included history, physical examination resting ECG. Participating sports corresponding number athletics (40), basketball (26), football (24), silat (16), rugby (14), badminton table tennis (12), shooting fencing (10) petanque (8).Results: 113 (64.2%) attended completed PPE. highest percentages screened shooting, (100% respectively), whilst lowest team (23.1%). Three abnormal ECGs identified: multiple premature ventricular contractions, atrial tachyarrhythmia pre-excitation. These three referred for subsequent investigations which two allowed return play. latter athlete was diagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome advised against until definitive management instituted. Conclusion: Only fair medical screening, hence are possibly unaware importance Despite our small sample size, we picked up cases requiring further investigation interventional studies. No screening program provides absolute protection death. Thus, more evidence-based research constant update best practice guidelines vital foster safe participation ultimately reduce incidence population. Athletes need be aware give full cooperation ensure timely high risk especially those related sudden sports.