The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Case Report

Sudden Cardiac Death in a 20-Year-Old Male Swimmer

Authors: Anthony J. Cedrone, MD, John N. Makaryus, MD, John N. Catanzaro, MD, Phillip Ruisi, DO, Tarin J. Romich, MPH, Patrick Horan, BS, Amgad N. Makaryus, MD, Sandeep Jauhar, MD

Abstract

In young adults, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is an acknowledged risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in an otherwise healthy and active patient. While the incidence of SCD in young people is not high enough for extensive, wide-scale examinations, the potential for prevention of some deaths via pre-exercise imaging may be beneficial in certain patient populations, such as those with a family history of SCD or professional athletes. We present the case of a healthy 20-year-old man with no past medical history who died while swimming in a river, likely secondary to cardiac arrest in the setting of HOCM.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Maron BJ, Gardin JM, Flack JM, et al. Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a general population of young adults. Echocardiographic analysis of 4111 subjects in the CARDIA study. Coronary Artery Risk Development in (Young) Adults. Circulation 1995;92:785–789.
 
2. Marian AJ, Roberts R. Recent advances in the molecular genetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1995;92:1336–1347.
 
3. Schwartz K, Carrier L, Guicheney P, et al. Molecular basis of familial cardiomyopathies. Circulation 1995;91:532–540.
 
4. Niimura H, Bachinski LL, Sangwatanaroj S, et al. Mutations in the gene for human cardiac myosin-binding protein C and late-onset familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 1998;338:1248–1257.
 
5. Rose AG. Evaluation of pathologic criteria for diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Histopathology 1984;8:395–406.
 
6. Wigle ED, Sasson Z, Henderson MA, et al. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The importance of the site and extent of hypertrophy. A review. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 1985;28:1–83.
 
7. Louie EK, Edwards LC III. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 1994;36:275–308.
 
8. Maron BJ. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review. JAMA 2002;287:1308–1320.
 
9. Nielsen B, Sjøgaard G, Bonde-Petersen F. Cardiovascular, hormonal and body fluid changes during prolonged exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1984;53:63–70.