In July 1993, the great Celtic’s basketball star Reggie Lewis, collapsed and suddenly died on a basketball court during an off-season practice at Brandeis University. The cause of Lewis’ death was diagnosed as sudden cardiac death, also known as S-C-D. Lewis was 27-years old, a husband, father and community leader. That was 23-years ago.
On average…every three days a young competitive athlete in the U.S. succumbs to S-C-D, according to the Journal Circulation.
Dr. Gian Corrado, head team physician at Northeastern University, and Associate Fellowship Director for Sports Medicine at Boston Children’s hospital, discussed with WGBH host Bob Seay his recent development for new pre-participation screening for athletes using portable ultra-sound technology.
Dr. Corrado says, “traditionally athletes are screened through a physical and risk factors, and if there are no red flags, generally a doctor clears them to play which is a poor screening method.”
In the past, other screenings have included employing the use of EKG’s, an electrocardiogram, a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart, which Dr. Corrado says often has many false positive and can be expensive.
Dr. Corrado tells Seay that using portable ultra-sound technology.
This newer technology of using portable ultrasounds is rapidly growing because it's very portable, easy to use and inexpensive.
This newer technology of using portable ultrasounds is rapidly growing because it’s very portable, easy to use and inexpensive. He says the equipment, which are as small as a probe and a laptop. is convenient and can be brought anywhere. It’s all about access. He says the cost is minimal or about as costly as using his stethoscope.
To learn more about Dr. Corrado’s development and research... listen to the entire interview with WGBH host Bob Seay and click on the attached hyperlink’s.
