Heart Safe news: Our weekly update on what’s happening in the world of heart safety and noninvasive cardiology

ECG screening effective in protecting young athletes from sudden cardiac death

New studies find that 12-lead ECG screening may be a cost-effective way to protect young athletes from sudden cardiac death.

The basic “history and physical exam” approach to screening young athletes is ineffective at protecting them from sudden cardiac death, according to a recent article in JournalWatch, which concludes that adding ECG screening is clinically effective — and may be cost-effective as well. The article cited two recently published studies of screening effectiveness published in the March 2 Journal of Internal Medicine.

The first study looked at the cost-effectiveness of screening for risk factors. It found that screening with a 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) alone was more effective than a basic exam alone, and concluded that screening with history, physical exam, and an ECG “may be cost-effective.”

The second study, focusing on college athletes, compared a basic physical with ECG screening and each with the clinical results from transthoracic echocardiography (expensive testing regarded as the diagnostic gold standard). It found that adding the ECG component to the medical history and physical exam “improves the overall sensitivity of preparticipation cardiovascular screening in athletes.”

Sudden cardiac arrest: Swedish study reveals a new, genetic factor

A study published in the April 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine describes the discovery of a genetic factor that puts some people at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. The genetic fault results in an energy crisis that prevents the heart muscles from functioning.

Anders Oldfors, who headed up the research team and is a professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden and consultant at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, commented in a press release, “The disorder is characterised by an inability to form the initial chain of sugar molecules. This leads to a shortage of glycogen and an energy crisis in the muscle cells that can result in cardiac arrest.”

There is currently no treatment for the disorder, Oldfors noted, but it can now be diagnosed and preventative treatments, such as implantable defibrillators, can be used.

The discovery stemmed in part from clinical research on a young man who suffered sudden cardiac arrest but was saved by ambulance paramedics.

School AEDs: They’re prepared at Porterfield College

We’re pleased to see new Powerheart G3 automated external defibrillators at Porterville College in Porterville, California. The school, part of the Kern Community College District, recently added two new AEDs to protect the campus. The school had one existing AED that is being updated.

The wall-mounted devices are available for public use, and eight staff members have been trained to use the AEDs, according to a recent AED article in the Porterville Recorder.

Dean Antonia Ecung compared the AEDs to other campus safety equipment, such as fire alarms.

“The defibrillators are a safety measure we provided, just in case,” Ecung told the newspaper.

New Zealand Freemasons donate AEDs

The Freemason Lodge and the Red Cross present a Powerheart G3 AED to Granity emergency services.

Freemason Lodges in New Zealand have embarked on a nationwide project to provide communities with limited emergency services coverage with defibrillators. AED training for the communities is being conducted by the Red Cross.

Related Products

• Powerheart AED G3 Plus
• Powerheart AED G3 Fully Automatic and Semi-automatic
• Powerheart AED G3 Pro
• Powerheart AED G3 Trainer
• AED Program Management

Last 5 posts

• Cardiac Science AEDs in Spain [VIDEO] - April 4th, 2011
• Cardiac Science wins first major public access defibrillation program in Europe - March 30th, 2011
• Georgia Park saves 5 lives with AEDs - March 24th, 2011
• Sad stories, avoidable deaths? - March 23rd, 2011
• Texas school's AED saves 6-year-old's life - March 22nd, 2011

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