Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Return-to-Play for Elite Athletes With Genetic Heart Diseases Predisposing to Sudden Cardiac Death
- Retrospective cohort study
- multicentre
Authors' conclusion
After careful evaluation, risk stratification, and tailoring of their GHD therapy, RTP following SDM appears associated with low, nonfatal events rates at elite levels of sport.
Study context
- Population
- NCAA Division I university and professional athletes diagnosed with a genetic heart disease predisposing to sudden cardiac death (SCD)
- Participants
- 76 participants
- Outcome
- Clinical outcomes: RTP outcomes and cardiac events
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
GHD-associated adverse cardiac events · mean follow-up 7 ± 6 years
Exercise-related GHD-associated adverse cardiac events
1 (1.3%)
Nonexercise-related GHD-associated adverse cardiac events
2
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Initial disqualification followed by unrestricted return-to-play (RTP) after evaluation and shared decision making (SDM)
- Initially disqualified, then opted for unrestricted RTP
- 55 of 76, 72%
Asymptomatic before diagnosis
- Asymptomatic before diagnosis (GHD mostly detected at routine preparticipation CV screening)
- 48 of 76, 63%
Original publication
Return-to-Play for Elite Athletes With Genetic Heart Diseases Predisposing to Sudden Cardiac Death. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 22 August 2023. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2023.05.059
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it