(24-04-12) Sports-related sudden death in the general population.

Marijon E, Tafflet M, Celermajer DS, Dumas F, Perier MC, Mustafic H, Toussaint
JF, Desnos M, Rieu M, Benameur N, Le Heuzey JY, Empana JP, Jouven X.
Source
Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, INSERM U970, H?pital europ?en Georges
Pompidou, Paris CEDEX 15, France. [email protected]
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Although such data are available for young competitive athletes, the
prevalence, characteristics, and outcome of sports-related sudden death have
not been assessed previously in the general population.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
A prospective and comprehensive national survey was performed throughout
France from 2005 to 2010, involving subjects 10 to 75 years of age. Case
detection for sports-related sudden death, including resuscitated cardiac
arrest, was undertaken via national ambulance service reporting and Web-based
screening of media releases. The overall burden of sports-related sudden death
was 4.6 cases per million population per year, with 6% of cases occurring in
young competitive athletes. Sensitivity analyses used to address suspected
underreporting demonstrated an incidence ranging from 5 to 17 new cases per
million population per year. More than 90% of cases occurred in the context of
recreational sports. The age of subjects was relatively young (mean ? SD 46 ?
15 years), with a predominance of men (95%). Although most cases were witnessed
(93%), bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was only commenced in 30.7% of
cases. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (odds ratio 3.73, 95% confidence
interval 2.19 to 6.39, P<0.0001) and initial use of cardiac defibrillation
(odds ratio 3.71, 95% confidence interval 2.07 to 6.64, P<0.0001) were the
strongest independent predictors for survival to hospital discharge (15.7%, 95%
confidence interval 13.2% to 18.2%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Sports-related sudden death in the general population is considerably more
common than previously suspected. Most cases are witnessed, yet bystander
cardiopulmonary resuscitation was only initiated in one third of cases. Given
the often predictable setting of sports-related sudden death and that prompt
interventions were significantly associated with improved survival, these data
have implications for health services planning.


Source: Circulation. 2011 Aug 9;124(6):672-81. Epub 2011 Jul 25.

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