Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Intercollegiate Athletics Are you prepared?

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in exercising young athletes Sudden cardiac death occurs in 1:43,000 NCAA student-athletes per year The chance of survival decreases by  10% every minute after collapse The average EMS response time is 6-8 minutes The single greatest factor affecting survival is the time from cardiac arrest to defibrillation (shock) AEDs improve survival through early defibrillation

Screening Student-athletes are required to have a pre- participation physical examination. The traditional screen includes: o History (chest pain or passing out with exercise) o Physical exam (blood pressure, heart sounds) Some schools perform EKG (electrocardiogram) to increase detection of athletes with at-risk conditions o Appropriate experience and resources are important for EKG screening to be utilized effectively Insert institutional screening policy here if applicable

Emergency Planning Written Emergency Action Plan for SCA Emergency communication system Trained responders in CPR/AED AED locations – all staff awareness Access to early defibrillation (<3-5 min collapse to shock) Practice and review of the response plan at least annually Integrate AEDS into local EMS system

Emergency Action Plan Essential elements of an emergency action plan include: (insert specific institutional plans for all of the following) Methods of communication Personnel requiring CPR and AED training Locations of AEDs for early defibrillation Practice and review of the response plan

Early Recognition Early CPR Early AED Chain of Survival Improved Survival

Recognition of SCA SCA should be suspected in any athlete who is collapsed and unresponsive SCA should be suspected in any non- traumatic collapse Brief seizure-like activity is common after collapse from SCA Seizure = SCA until proven otherwise Occasional gasping is not normal breathing… think SCA

Early CPR CPR can double or triple the chance of survival < 1/3 of SCA victims receive bystander CPR 2010 AHA guidelines o Hands-only CPR o Chest compressions  Push hard, push fast (100 per minute)

AEDs in Sport AEDs provide a means of early defibrillation and the potential for effective management of SCA o Athletes o Students o Staff o Spectators o Coaches o Officials o Visitors 2007

The Collapsed and Unresponsive Athlete Management of SCA Suspect SCA in any collapsed and unresponsive athlete An AED should be applied as soon as possible for rhythm analysis and shock if indicated Drezner; Heart Rhythm 2007

Steps in the Management of SCA 1.Recognize SCA 2.Call for help / Call Begin chest compressions (CPR) 4.Retrieve the AED 5.Apply and use the AED as soon as possible 6.Continue CPR until EMS arrives

Resources Inter-Association Task Force Recommendations on Emergency Preparedness and Management of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in High School and College Athletic Programs: A Consensus Statement. Journal of Athletic Training 2007;42(1):143–158 NCAA Health and Safety AL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/ncaa/academics+and+athletes/pers onal+welfare/health+and+safety/raising+awareness+of+su dden+cardiac+collapse+in+sports AL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/ncaa/academics+and+athletes/pers onal+welfare/health+and+safety/raising+awareness+of+su dden+cardiac+collapse+in+sports