Sudden unexpected death in young athletes

A 13-year-old white boy died suddenly and unexpectedly while playing soccer. This case acquires a unique interest because of the coincidence of sudden unexpected death in a 13-year-old boy, anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus of Valsalva, anomalous location of the right coronary ostium within proper aortic sinus of Valsalva, hyperacute myocardial infarction, and myocardial fibrosis. The authors are convinced that the cardiovascular evaluation of young athletes needs to be focused on the identification of individuals at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest, paying attention to suggestive symptoms and to a family history of sudden death due to cardiac arrest, particularly at an early age. In addition, enquiry should be made into the concomitant presence of a smoking habit or of passive smoke exposure.