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The following is a summary of “Has COVID-19 led to more sudden cardiac deaths in football?,” published in the November 2024 issue of Cardiology by Ukaj et al.   

In football players the impact of COVID-19 on sudden cardiac death (SCD) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is unclear, especially regarding conditions like myocarditis and coronary artery disease (CAD). 

Researchers conducted a prospective study to compare the rates of SCD and SCA in football players before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

They analyzed data from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Sudden Death Registry for 2 periods, the COVID-19 pandemic and an equivalent pre-pandemic period (each lasting 1151 days). Cases of SCD and SCA were focused, particularly those associated with myocarditis and CAD linked to COVID-19. 

The results showed 454 cases of SCD and SCA (24% survival rate) in the pre-pandemic period and 380 cases (27% survival rate) during the pandemic (P=0.27). Among confirmed and suspected diagnoses, 6 (3%) cases of myocarditis and 69 (36%) cases of CAD in the pre-pandemic period were found. During the pandemic, 1 (1%) cases of myocarditis and 58 (43%) cases of CAD were also noted. 

They concluded that the burden of SCD and SCA, including myocarditis and CAD, in football players was not higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. 

Source: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00392-024-02569-1