Abstract 17252: Texas Adolescent Athlete Heart Screening Registry (TAAHSR): a Statewide Screening Study

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 124; no. suppl_21
• Main Authors: Lawrence, Silvana M, Fenrich, Arnold, Kohl, Harold W, Austin, Patrick W, Hutchings, Jennifer Y, Garcia, Michelle, Guerrero, Michael, Rodgers, George
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 22-11-2011
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/circ.124.suppl_21.A17252

Abstract only
Background:
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, though a rare event, continues to claim lives every year. Optimal athlete screening strategies have proved to be elusive.
Hypothesis:
Statewide screening of high school student athletes (SA) for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and other conditions associated with SCD is feasible and establishing a registry may lead to reduction in SCD and improved quality of life. Objective: Identify high school SA at risk for SCD due to presence of HCM and/or other conditions associated with SCD through screening events in the state of Texas, and establish a statewide data bank (registry).
Methods:
The target population in this observational screening study included high school age SA who voluntarily presented at screening venues in Texas from March 2010-April 2011. Demographic and cardiac history data, 12-lead ECG and limited two-dimensional echocardiogram (L-ECHO) were obtained on all SA. Studies were read either on site or remotely subsequent to data acquisition. Athletes with positive screenings (SCD-related or other abnormal findings) were referred for complete cardiology evaluation. Follow up data were compared to screening results.
Results:
Of 1002 SA screened, 840 agreed to participate in TAAHSR (71% male). Most SA were in grades 9 and 10 (63%), mostly White (55%) or Hispanic (34%). Fifty one percent reported positive at least once in the history. A total of 94 SA (11.2%) had positive screening on ECG (9.6%) and/or L-ECHO (2.1%) and referral was made. Of the 94 SA referred, follow up data were obtained in 91 (98%): Data were still pending at the time in 44 (48%) and complete in 47 (52%). Of the 94, 22 were referred for SCD-related findings: 19 ECG (15 HCM, 3 WPW and 1 Brugada) and 3 L-ECHO (1 HCM, 2 aortic root dilation). Of the 47 SA, screening findings were confirmed in 12 (25%), 3 with WPW (2 underwent ablation) and 1 with LVH considered ‘benign’ but not HCM.
Conclusion:
Establishing a registry with statewide screenings in SA for SCD-related conditions is feasible and longitudinal data to assess effectiveness is highly needed at the present time. To date, 3 SA (0.36%) were identified with SCD-related condition (WPW). Future work on cost-effectiveness analysis is imperative to determine value of widespread SA screening for SCD.