Recommendations and Considerations Related to Preparticipation Screening for Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Competitive Athletes: 2007 Update

Detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is improved when using advanced rather than strictly conventional 12-lead electrocardiogram

“…3,38 The American Heart Association, unlike the European Society of Cardiology and the International Olympic Committee, has for the time being chosen not to endorse pre-participation ECG screening, in part due to concerns about potentially high costs associated with universal implementation within the U.S. 38 Regardless of any formalized recommendations for or against such pre-participation screening, the improved specificity of A-ECG scoring, if corroborated in future prospective studies, might aid in reducing those costs that are now incurred when truly unnecessary further testing occurs based on strictly conventional ECG analysis. Additionally, because of improved sensitivity, A-ECG scoring with full-disclosure ECG might also be preferred over isolated conventional ECG for initial screening of higher-risk individuals, such as those with syncope or family histories of HCM.…”

Preventing sudden cardiac death in the young: Is electrocardiogram screening the most effective means?

“…Discussions of the cost-effectiveness of ECG screening are dependent on the jurisdiction considering the program. The potential cost is not considered prohibitive in Europe (11), while it is considered prohibitive in the United States (32). No appropriate analysis has been published that examines the cost implications in Canada.…”

“…international reCommenDations for prepartiCipation sCreening The American Heart Association currently does not support the addition of the ECG to the preparticipation examination and cites both scientific and practical reasons (32). The final conclusion was 'complete and targeted personal and family history and physical examination'; however, the addition of the echocardiogram and/or ECG was 'optional' (32).…”

“…The final conclusion was 'complete and targeted personal and family history and physical examination'; however, the addition of the echocardiogram and/or ECG was 'optional' (32). The European Society of Cardiology has crafted a consensus statement informed by the Italian experience that recommends a common European protocol based on the ECG (11).…”

Pre-participation assessment in young athletes: a state affair

“…In most states, this assessment is composed of a simple questionnaire, while only recently the electrocardiogram (ECG) has been introduced [5].…”