Exercise-induced cardiac arrest in a sickle cell trait-positive Air Force recruit: a case report

Military Medicine
Kevin A Fajardo, Juste Tchandja

Abstract

In October 2011, a sickle cell trait (SCT)-positive Air Force recruit collapsed and died immediately following his physical fitness test. The cause of death was reported to be a cardiac dysrhythmia secondary to an acute sickling crisis. Although it is well known that SCT-positive individuals have a significant risk of exercise-related death (ERD), this case is notable in that none of the commonly cited risk factors were present, including exertional heat injury, dehydration, training at altitude, and rhabdomyolysis. Our findings challenge the commonly held assertion exertional heat illness is the fundamental underlying etiology in these cases, and that the current Department of Defense's policy on SCT screening is ineffective at mitigating the risk of ERD in SCT-positive recruits. Furthermore, we argue that without a clearer understanding of the precise risk factors for ERD in this population, screening programs may actually shift excessive health risks onto those without SCT.

Citations

Jan 5, 2021·Current Sports Medicine Reports·Francis G O'ConnorPatricia A Deuster
May 3, 2019·Pediatric Emergency Care·Caroline Newman, Karl B Fields

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.