Age-dependent diagnostic yield of echocardiography as a second-line diagnostic investigation in athletes with abnormalities at preparticipation screening

Italian community-based pre-participation screening showed an age-dependent yield, with a three-fold increase in referral in athletes >35 years. Subclinical structural abnormalities potentially predisposing to sudden death were rare (0.01%), mostly in post-pubertal and senior athletes. Age-specific pre-participation screening protocols may help optimize resources and improve specificity.