Effectiveness of preparticipation sports examination in athletes under 35 years: history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62059/495qva90Keywords:
Death, Sudden, Electrocardiography, Mass ScreeningAbstract
Sudden death in young athletes drives the use of preparticipation screening to detect silent cardiac disease. Whether the electrocardiogram (ECG) should be added to history-taking and physical examination remains debated. A systematic review of MEDLINE/PubMed assessed the diagnostic performance of history, physical examination, and ECG in athletes under 35 years. History and examination show low sensitivity (20% and 9%) with high specificity (94% and 97%); the ECG reaches 94% sensitivity and 93% specificity, with the lowest false-positive rate (6%). The 2017 international criteria for ECG interpretation in athletes reduced false positives without compromising sensitivity. The ECG is the most effective screening component; its implementation requires trained interpreters.References
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