Premium
Prevalence of abnormal ECGs in male soccer players decreases with the S eattle criteria, but is still high
Author(s) -
Berge H. M.,
Gjesdal K.,
Andersen T. E.,
Solberg E. E.,
Steine K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12274
Subject(s) - medicine , athletes , cardiology , electrocardiography , physical therapy
Electrocardiogram ( ECG ) and echocardiography are mandatory in preparticipation cardiac screening in soccer players. Abnormal ECG findings usually require follow‐up investigations. The main aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of abnormal ECG findings in male professional soccer players according to E uropean S ociety of C ardiology's ( ESC ) recommendations and the S eattle criteria, and to assess the need for echocardiography. ECGs from 587 of 595 (99%) players were recorded with ClickECG , and measurements were derived with visually adjusted on‐screen calipers on the computer‐based averaged PQRST complex. Echocardiographic recordings were performed with V ivid 7/i and categorized according to reference values for athlete's heart. After the initial screening, 32 (5.5%) players were recommended for follow‐up. The prevalence of abnormal ECGs was 29.3% vs 11.2% according to the ESC 's recommendations and the S eattle criteria, respectively. None of the players with abnormal ECGs only according to the ESC 's recommendations had abnormal echocardiograms. Echocardiography alone detected one player with abnormalities (athlete's heart). The S eattle criteria reduced the number of athletes with abnormal ECGs considerably compared with the ESC recommendations. Based on echocardiographic evaluations, this increased the specificity of the S eattle criteria, without increasing the number of false‐negative ECGs . The need for mandatory echocardiography in soccer players seems limited.