Influencing Follow-Up Rates After Cardiac Screenings in Student-Athletes: A 15-Year Retrospective Study

Authors

Matthew Cederman, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Tai Metzger, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Tyler Hershenhouse, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Matthew Adams, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Nolan Shoukri, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Amr Abbas, Corewell Health East
Ahmad Suleiman, Corewell Health East
Simon Dixon, Corewell Health East
Jennifer Shea, Corewell Health East
Nishaki Mehta, Corewell Health East

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

9-2025

Publication Title

American Journal of Preventive Cardiology

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac screening in young athletes may detect abnormalities to prevent sudden cardiac death. A critical aspect is ensuring follow-up after screening. This study aimed to identify factors influencing follow-up rates after abnormal screening in a student heart check program (SHC). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of cardiac screening from a SHC program from 2007 to 2021. A subset of these followed up at Corewell Health. We analyzed follow-up information from participants’ EMR at our institution and investigated factors associated with follow-up rates up to 5 years. Results: Among 15,761 screenings (mean age 15.5 years), 1% (N=142) of students were told to stop playing (SP) and follow up, while 10% (N=1654) were told to continue playing (CP) with follow-up. Of those in the SP group, 30% (N=43) followed up at our institution, compared to 11% (N=180) of those in the CP group. Students in the SP group had significantly more follow-up visits at 1 year (p=0.013), 2 years (p=0.008), and 5 years (p=0.009) (Table 1). The most common findings after follow-up for the SP group were WPW (N=6), valvular insufficiency (N=5), and LVH (N=4). The most common findings after follow-up for the CP group were complete or incomplete RBBB (N=16), valvular regurgitation (N=24), LVH (N=9), premature ventricular contractions (N=8), and long QT interval (N=8). There were no mortalities noted in this cohort. Conclusion: Students advised to stop sports had significantly higher follow-up rates than those advised to continue playing. This trend was noted to continue long-term (5 years).

Volume

23

Issue

Suppl

First Page

59

Comments

ASPC (American Society for Preventive Cardiology) 2025 Congress on CVD Prevention, August 1-3, 2025, Boston, MA

Last Page

60

Recommended Citation

Cederman M, Metzger T, Hershenhouse T, Adams M, Shoukri N, Abbas A, et al. [Suleiman A, Dixon S, Shea J, Mehta N]. Influencing follow-up rates after cardiac screenings in student-athletes: a 15-year retrospective study. Am J Prev Cardiol. 2025 Sep;23(Suppl):59-60. doi:10.1016/j.ajpc.2025.101202

DOI

10.1016/j.ajpc.2025.101202