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Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young

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Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology in the Young

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Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young tends to occur in individuals with undiagnosed heart disease and has a devastating impact on families and communities. Such events tend to draw substantial public and media attention, particularly when a young athlete is involved. Heightened awareness of SCD has led to anxiety regarding youth athletics as well as debate regarding appropriate and cost-effective screening. It is important to note that many pediatric, nonathletic cardiopulmonary arrests are either of a respiratory or traumatic etiology. Nonetheless, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in young athletes and may be preventable in many cases. However, current screening methods in the USA are inadequate to identify those at risk with sufficient sensitivity or specificity, or in a practical or cost-effective manner.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Christopher B. Stefanelli M.D.

  2. Sibley Heart Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Aarti Dalal D.O. & Robert Campbell M.D.

Authors
  1. Christopher B. Stefanelli M.D.
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  2. Aarti Dalal D.O.
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  3. Robert Campbell M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aarti Dalal D.O. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Macdonald Dick, II

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Stefanelli, C.B., Dalal, A., Campbell, R. (2015). Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young. In: Dick, II, M. (eds) Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology in the Young. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2739-5_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2739-5_21

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