HDCN Article Review/Hyperlink

Maron BJ, Shirani J, Poliac LC, Mathenge R, Roberts WC, Mueller FO

Sudden death in young competitive athletes

J Am Med Assoc (Jul) 276:199-204 1996

Sudden death in young athletes is a tragedy, and certainly an area that deserves more complete study. In this paper, Maron et al review autopsy findings in 70 white and 59 black athletes who died suddenly of cardiovascular causes. Most collapses and/or deaths occurred soon after a training session or game. 36% had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (48% blacks vs. 26% whits), or anomalous origin of the coronary artery (13% of deaths). Standard medical evaluation was done in most athletes prior to death, and the structural abnormalities present were suspected in only one. (John T. Daugirdas, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago) The full abstract is available at the AMA site. You will need to register with the JAMA before being allowed to access this material.

Abstract

Press Release