- Astley C, et al. JAMA Netw Open. https://bit.ly/3F46v1Z.
A study of young athletes who suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD) found no significant difference in the number of such events before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media and social media reports suggested that COVID-19 illness or mRNA vaccines caused an increase in SCA/SCD in athletes.
Authors sought to compare the prevalence of cardiac events among competitive athletes at youth, middle school, high school, club, college or professional levels in 2017-’19 with the prevalence in 2020-’22. To do so, they analyzed data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research (NCCSIR).
The study population included athletes who experienced SCA or SCD at any time, not just during play or practice.
Results showed there were 387 cases of SCD or SCA during the study period. The mean age of the athletes was 16.5 years, and 86% were male. There was no significant difference in the number of cases in 2017-’19 (203) and 2020-’22 (184).
A cause of death was determined in 139 of 190 SCD cases using autopsy data or coroner reports. Myocarditis accounted for three (2.8%) of the 106 pre-pandemic deaths and four (4.8%) of the 84 pandemic-era deaths.
Authors noted the study is limited by the possibility of missed cases when interpreting NCCSIR data. Informed consent from survivors and next of kin was obtained in gathering autopsy and medical records to confirm SCA and SCD cases.
“Although SCA/SCD in young athletes requires more robust preventive strategies, this study suggests the COVID-19 pandemic did not increase SCA/SCD risk in athletes,” the authors wrote.
