Cost analysis of electrocardiographic screening in a population of non-competitive athletes

"To quantify the costs for each situation at risk of sudden death identified by ECG screening using a Telecardiology system. ECGs received at the Telecardiology Center (Telemedico Srl, Genoa) for non-competitive sports, in the September-November 2018 period were analyzed. A total of 4360 non- competive athletes (2113 women, 48.5%) were evaluated between the ages of 3 and 40 years (mean ± SD: 17.3 ± 10.6). The average cost per ECG was € 9.2. An ECG pattern at risk of sudden death has been identified in 319 (7.3%) subjects, respectively 259 (5.9%) at low risk and 60 (1.4%) at medium-high risk. The cost of ECG screening to identify a risk situation was € 125.74 and rose to € 668.53 in the identification of a medium-high risk situation of sudden death. The low costs of the ECG performed by Telecardiology justifies its use in the screening of heart disease at risk of sudden death even in subjects practicing noncompetitive sports."