January 9, 2013British Journal of Sports Medicine128 citationsOpen Access
Abnormal electrocardiographic findings in athletes: recognising changes suggestive of cardiomyopathy
Structured PICO
P
Population
Young athletes undergoing 12-lead ECG screening or diagnostic evaluation for conditions associated with sudden cardiac death, specifically cardiomyopathies.
I
Intervention
12-lead ECG interpretation using criteria established by an international consensus panel of experts in sports cardiology and sports medicine.
Provides an overview of abnormal ECG findings suggestive of cardiomyopathy in young athletes based on international consensus criteria to aid in the prevention of sudden cardiac death.
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of heart muscle diseases and collectively are the leading cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes. The 12-lead ECG is utilised as both a screening and diagnostic tool for detecting conditions associated with SCD. Fundamental to the appropriate evaluation of athletes undergoing ECG is an understanding of the ECG findings that may indicate the presence of an underlying pathological cardiac disorder. This article describes ECG findings present in cardiomyopathies afflicting young athletes and outlines appropriate steps for further evaluation of these ECG abnormalities. The ECG findings defined as abnormal in athletes were established by an international consensus panel of experts in sports cardiology and sports medicine.