Review of the management of sudden cardiac arrest on the football field: Figure 1

Abstract

Football is the most popular sport on earth. When a young, fit popular player suddenly collapses and dies during play, the tragic event is frequently screened and publicised worldwide. The reported incidence of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) varies from 1:65 000 to 1:200 000 athletes. A broad spectrum of cardiac and non-cardiac causes have been implicated, and regular precompetition medical assessments are recommended as a preventive measure. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation is the treatment for SCA. High success rates can be achieved if this is initiated promptly, preferably within seconds of the arrest. Trained medical responders must be allowed to respond, ideally with a defibrillator (manual or automated) in hand, to a player who suddenly and unexpectedly collapses and remains unresponsive on the field. Immediate defibrillation of a pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, within 1 to 2 min of onset, has a successful cardioversion rate exceeding 90%. Medical responders should be well trained and rehearsed in the recognition of SCA, including distractors such as seizures, myoclonic jerks and agonal (gasping) breathing. Prompt initiation of chest compressions on the field, together with early defibrillation, will result in many athletes' lives being saved by immediate implementation of these simple recommendations.

Differential Survival for Men and Women from Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Varies by Age: Results from the OPALS Study

“…The higher proportions of microvascular disease, plaque rupture, vasospasm, and slow coronary flow causing acute ischemia in young women than in men have all been linked with better prognosis. 46,47 Our study also confirms prior reports that despite an advantage earlier in life, overall survival in women is lower than in men. 8,10,[19][20][21][22][23][24] This could be because a majority (59%) of the cardiac arrests occurred between the ages of 65 and 85 years when men have a survival advantage over women.…”

Sudden cardiac death in athletes

“…Не-смотря на то что ранее данное заболевание считалось крайне редким явлением, недавно стало известно, что оно встречается чаще, чем предполагалось. Действительно, до 20 % смер-тей во время спортивных соревнований проис-ходят вследствие сотрясения грудной стенки [31][32][33][34][35][36]. В Регистре сотрясений сердца в тече-ние 7 лет его существования было зарегистри-ровано 156 случаев сотрясения сердца [36].…”

Effectiveness of cardiac arrest prevention during exercise

“…Various exercise types cause SCA, though low-intensity exercise might have a lower incidence of SCA than highintensity competitive sports 9) . Among competitive sports, football and rugby are reported to have a higher risk for SCA and sudden cardiac death (SCD) [10][11][12][13][14] . Previous studies have identified both the risk and protective factors associated with SCA or SCD during exercise.…”