Reply No Evidence for Femoral Pulse Evaluation in Normotensive College Athletes During Sports Preparticipation Examinations

Dr. McGrew makes an excellent point in questioning the rationale for evaluating the femoral pulse in normotensive college student-athletes during the preparticipation evaluation, noting that there have been no documented cases of sudden death in college athletes from coarctation of the aorta. However, as stated in the interassociation document(1), although neither the 14-Element AHA Recommendations nor the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation, 4th Edition, have been validated scientifically to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death in college athletes, there is widespread consensus from leading medical and sports medicine organizations that such an evaluation is indicated. We chose not to start deleting portions of these important consensus recommendations in the absence of a scientific- or consensus-driven reason to do so. Furthermore, we believe the pre-participation evaluation offers many opportunities beyond the limited focus cited by Dr.  McGrew, including an opportunity to assess the risk for future health and quality of life matters(1), including early vasculopathies(2). With this in mind, careful examination of the femoral pulse may offer  insight beyond assessing for coarctation of the aorta. We invite Dr. McGrew to consider the wider benefits of the pre-participation evaluation of college student-athletes.
Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research