The use of cardiac imaging in the evaluation of athletes in the clinical practice: A survey by the Sports Cardiology and Exercise Section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology and University of Siena,in collaboration with the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging,the European Heart Rhythm Association and the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases

Abstract

Aims

Pre-participation evaluation (PPE) is recommended to prevent sudden cardiac death in athletes. Although imaging is not advocated as a first-line screening tool, there is a growing interest in the use of echocardiography in PPE of athletes. This survey aimed to map the use of imaging in the setting of PPE and explore physician beliefs and potential barriers that may influence individual practices.

Methods

An international survey of healthcare professionals was performed across ESC Member Countries. Percentages were reported based on the number of respondents per question.

Results

In total, 603 individuals from 97 countries participated in the survey. Two-thirds (65%) of respondents use echocardiography always or often as part of PPE of competitive athletes and this practice is not influenced by the professional or amateur status of the athlete. The majority (81%) of respondents who use echocardiography as a first-line screening tool perform the first echocardiogram during adolescence or at the first clinical evaluation, and 72% repeat it at least once in the athletes’ career, at 1–5 yearly intervals. In contrast, cardiac magnetic resonance is reserved as a second-line investigation of symptomatic athletes. The majority of the respondents did not report any barriers to echocardiography, while several barriers were identified for cardiac magnetic resonance.

Conclusions

Echocardiography is frequently used as a first-line screening tool of athletes. In the absence of scientific evidence, before such practice is recommended, large studies using echocardiography in the PPE setting are necessary.