Changing the Pulse of Athletics: Applying a Standardized Cardiac Athletic Screening for NCAA Athletes

The purpose of this study is to screen for and determine the prevalence of structural, functional, or electrophysiologic cardiac abnormalities in a population of young athletes using bedside cardiac ultrasound, electrocardiogram (ECG) and a physical exam.

The investigators will attempt to answer the question regarding the feasibility of screening all collegiate athletes with bedside cardiac ultrasound, ECG, and history/physical exams results in a higher sensitivity for abnormalities than screening using ECG and physical exams alone. The investigators will also analyze the cost and cost effectiveness of screening the young athlete population with bedside cardiac ultrasound. Costs will be calculated to include the amount of dollars spent on equipment, gels, and other supplies, but will not include the cost of performing the bedside cardiac ultrasound, which will be assumed as part of the physical exam. Additionally, the investigators will be gathering a number of data markers from the bedside cardiac ultrasound, including but not limited to right ventricular and left ventricular cavitary size, septal wall thickness, free ventricle wall on RV, and free ventricle wall on LV, in evaluation of the athlete's heart. The importance of these measurements is for the continued knowledge and data set analysis collection as there is limited known athletic cardiac measurements. There is minimal risk involved in this study. The investigators believe that by adding bedside cardiac ultrasound to the history, physical, and ECG, it will increase the sensitivity and specificity of screening for these life-threatening abnormalities in young athletes, and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.

Inclusion criteria

• Athletes with previous known cardiac abnormality will be included in the study. Participants in the cardiovascular screening are young student athletes of Duke University between the ages of 18-22, of both sexes participating in their respective athletic pre-participation physical examination. Anyone who participates in NCAA Division 1 collegiate athletics is eligible to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Exclusions to this study include any walk-on athletes, or those not deemed a part of Duke Athletics prior to the commencement of the academic year. Also excluded will be anyone less than 18 years of age. Student athletes who do not agree to the study consent will be excluded.