Key result
Frontline portable echocardiography cuts cardiology referrals ~33% while matching cardiologist measurements and saving time.
Why the study?
The optimal screening protocol to detect athletes at risk for sudden cardiac death during preparticipation physical examination remains debated, with cost-effectiveness concerns for ECG and cardiologist-performed echocardiography.
Does portable echocardiography by a frontline physician improve screening for structural cardiac abnormalities in competitive athletes compared to standard H&P and ECG?
Does portable echocardiography by a frontline physician improve screening for structural cardiac abnormalities in competitive athletes compared to standard H&P and ECG?
Portable echocardiography performed by frontline physicians shows promise as a feasible and efficient screening tool for competitive athletes, potentially reducing unnecessary cardiology referrals.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
May support frontline portable echocardiography for athlete screening; leaves open prospective outcome trials versus H&P plus ECG.
Kerkhof et al. (2016) conducted a review in Sudden cardiac death risk in competitive athletes. Portable echocardiography by a frontline physician (PEFP) vs. History and physical examination (H&P) and ECG was evaluated. Portable echocardiography by frontline physicians yielded measurements similar to cardiologists, reduced cardiology referrals by 33%, and was completed significantly faster than H&P and an ECG.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: