December 17, 2011Open Access
View Full PaperPrevalence of Cardiomyopathy in Italian Asymptomatic Children With Electrocardiographic T-Wave Inversion at Preparticipation Screening
Structured PICO
Does echocardiographic investigation improve the presymptomatic diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in asymptomatic children with electrocardiographic T-wave inversion at preparticipation screening?
P
Population
Italian asymptomatic children with electrocardiographic T-wave inversion at preparticipation screening
I
Intervention
Echocardiographic investigation
O
Outcome
Presymptomatic diagnosis of a cardiomyopathy
Echocardiographic investigation is warranted in children with postpubertal persistence of T-wave inversion to detect presymptomatic cardiomyopathy and prevent sudden cardiac death during sports.
Abstract
The prevalence of T-wave inversion decreases significantly after puberty. Echocardiographic investigation of children with postpubertal persistence of T-wave inversion at preparticipation screening is warranted because it may lead to presymptomatic diagnosis of a cardiomyopathy that could lead to sudden cardiac death during sports.