BEAT IT – screening for sudden cardiac arrest in Maltese adolescents

A project aimed at preventing sudden cardiac arrest in adolescents has been launched at Mrieħel Secondary School, St Theresa College. The project brings together the Cardiology Department at Mater Dei Hospital, the Ministry for Education and Employment, the University of Malta and the Malta Heart Foundation, together with a number of corporate sponsors including TrioMed, the importers of Philip’s products.

The project, entitled BEAT IT – Screening for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Maltese Adolescents, aims at identifying high-risk fifth-form individuals in all Maltese schools.

Although the condition is rare, the biological, psychological and social implications in these instances are significant for both the victim’s family and friends, together with the economic ramifications as a result of the victim’s years of life lost. Individuals are often young, well, and presumed to be healthy, which makes the consequences all the more difficult to accept. More than 80 per cent of them have no symptoms before sudden cardiac arrest occurs, which is why screening is important, as evidenced by the data present for screening in competitive athletes. Screening with a questionnaire and electrocardiogram has a sensitivity of more than 85 per cent, supporting the implementation of a widespread screening programme.

Individuals with abnormalities are at a higher risk for exercise-related symptoms, although the majority – more than 80 per cent – often have no prior symptoms, with patients often presenting for the first time with a cardiac arrest. Symptoms during exercise may be downplayed if educators are not aware of potential problems, thus serving as a learning platform for school teachers at schools.

Individuals identified as being at a higher risk will be referred to specialist clinics for further investigations and possible treatment. The University of Malta will be studying the genetic correlation of these individuals through the process of DNA sequencing which will shed light on the genetic implications of such abnormalities.

The project, which is led by cardiologist Mark Abela, is expected to last six to 12 months and will start this scholastic year.