SC Connecticut News

Sudden cardiac arrests are a significant health concern among young people, with athletes facing a higher risk. For those who have experienced cardiac arrest, an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) is the primary method to prevent future incidents. Yale researchers have published a review summarizing existing studies on how athletes can return to sports after receiving ICDs.

The largest study on this topic, the ICD Sports Registry, reported no sports-related deaths, injuries, or cardiac arrests in athletes returning to sports with an ICD, including those participating in high-intensity activities. The study also found that ICDs could be set to a higher threshold for providing shocks without increasing negative outcomes. These findings have influenced changing perspectives on athletes with ICDs and their ability to resume their original activities. The current approach emphasizes shared decision-making between the athlete and their medical team rather than imposing strict sports restrictions.

To learn more about these findings, readers can refer to the review titled "Devices and Athletics: Decision-Making Around Return to Play."

The latest recommendations for athletes with ICDs are detailed in the Heart Rhythm Society’s consensus statement. This document provides evidence-based guidelines on diagnosing, treating, and managing arrhythmic conditions in athletes to support their return to sports. Rachel Lampert, MD, Robert W. Berliner Professor of Medicine (cardiovascular medicine), is the first author of this statement.

For further information, readers can consult the consensus statement titled "2024 HRS Expert Consensus Statement on Arrhythmias in The Athlete: Evaluation, Treatment, and Return to Play."

References:

- Kay B., Lampert R., Devices and Athletics: Decision-Making Around Return to Play, Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccep.2023.09.009

- Lampert R., Chung EH., Ackerman MJ., et al., 2024 HRS expert consensus statement on arrhythmias in the athlete: Evaluation, treatment, and return to play, Heart Rhythm (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.05.018