A project aiming to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest in adolescents was launched this morning at Mriehel Secondary School, St Theresa College. The project brings together the Cardiology department at Mater Dei Hospital, the Ministry of Education, the University of Malta, the Malta Heart Foundation and a number of corporate sponsors including TrioMed, importers of Philips.
The project entitled BEAT IT – Screening for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Maltese Adolescents, aims to identify high risk individuals attending 5th form in all Maltese and Gozitan schools. This age cohort will take advantage of both the education system in Malta where education is compulsory whilst also offers the potential for a large recruitment sample (estimated to be 3500-4000) as students will be clustered in the class room.
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% of these individuals are asymptomatic before sudden cardiac arrest takes place, 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%, supporting the implementation of a widespread screening program.
Hon Minister of Education Evarist Bartolo (left) Dr Mark Abela – lead researcher of the project
Individuals with abnormalities are at higher risk for exercise related symptoms, though the majority, accounting for more than 80% often have no symptoms prior to an event, 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 teachers in schools.
Those individuals who would be 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 Dr Mark Abela, is expected to last 12-18 months, starting this scholastic year.