Key result
Sudden death in athletes occurs approximately once every 3 days in the United States, highlighting the critical need for coordinated emergency action plans and early access to automated external defibrillators.
Emphasizes the critical necessity of rehearsed emergency action plans, early AED access, and prompt CPR to manage sudden cardiac arrest in athletes.
Supports emergency preparedness reviews in sports; leaves open optimal strategies pending prospective trials.
Sudden death in athletes occurs approximately once every 3 days in the United States. Each school or venue should have an emergency action plan that is coordinated with local emergency medical services (EMS). Access to early defibrillation to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is critical. If EMS response times are greater than 3 to 5 minutes from collapse to first shock, an on-site automated external defibrillator (AED) should be available. Delays in recognition of SCA in athletes occur commonly. Any collapsed and unresponsive athlete should be considered to be in cardiac arrest and an AED should be applied for rhythm analysis as soon as possible. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be provided while waiting for an AED and interruptions in chest compressions should be minimized. Rehearsal of the emergency action plan with potential first responders is essential to ensuring an efficient response to SCA in athletics.
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Harmon et al. (2007) conducted a review in Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Athletes. Emergency action plan and early defibrillation (AED) was evaluated. Sudden death in athletes occurs approximately once every 3 days in the United States, highlighting the critical need for coordinated emergency action plans and early access to automated external defibrillators.
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