Salaheddin Sharif
University of Benghazi, Libya
Title: Pre-Competition Medical Assessment of Athletes experience in Libya
Biography
Biography: Salaheddin Sharif
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the most common cause of death in athletes and may result from undiagnosed cardiovascular diseases. Pre-participation screening has been generally approved to identify those athletes at risk of SCD; however, there is no single commonly adopted protocol to screen athletes. Although the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) support the routine pre-participation screening of athletes to prevent SCD, there is considerable disagreement regarding the guidelines of the protocols used. The AHA protocol includes a detailed medical history and a physical examination, whereas the ESC protocol includes a detailed medical history, a physical examination and 12 lead ECG assessments. The cost benefit of using 12 lead ECG is arguable, especially if the screening is used to prevent SCD associated with rare diseases. The Libyan Football Federation established a new protocol for seasonal pre-competition screening for their athletes during the 2013-2014 seasons. The protocol, which was arguable because of costs, included a medical history, physical examination, 12 lead ECG, electrocardiography and blood test. In conclusion, regardless of cost and differences in protocol, there is a significant value in pre-competition screening for athletes in order to decrease the incidence of SCD.
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