Key result
Advanced cardiac screening during a preparticipation exam successfully identified an asymptomatic 19-year-old athlete with a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic-ventricular tunnel.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Advanced diagnostic testing in preparticipation exams may be crucial for identifying underlying structural heart abnormalities in young athletes to prevent sudden cardiac death.
Case report suggests targeted advanced imaging may identify high-risk athletes; leaves open whether routine use improves sudden death prevention.
A 19-year-old male collegiate wrestler was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve disease and aortic insufficiency due to the presence of an aortic-ventricular tunnel. The athlete underwent an electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram, as well as a diagnostic ultrasound of his carotid arteries and abdominal aorta in order to diagnose this underlying structural abnormality. This diagnosis resulted in the athlete being disqualified for the remainder of the wrestling season and undergoing open-heart surgery to repair his bicuspid aortic valve. This case study will explain the events surrounding the recognition of this disease as well as advocate for the use of cardiac screening in preparticipation exams (PPEs). It is imperative that we implement more advanced diagnostic testing in the PPEs of young athletes in order to diagnose underlying structural heart abnormalities that may lead to sudden cardiac death.
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Rossi et al. (2018) conducted a case report in Bicuspid aortic valve disease and aortic-ventricular tunnel (n=1). Advanced cardiac screening (ECG, TTE, carotid ultrasound) was evaluated. Advanced cardiac screening during a preparticipation exam successfully identified an asymptomatic 19-year-old athlete with a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic-ventricular tunnel.
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