School-Based Cardiovascular Screening and Sudden Cardiac Deaths: Emphasis on Arrhythmias Associated with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

The Japanese school-based cardiovascular screening system began in 1973 with the revision of the Enforcement Regulations of the School Health Law by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. It was not until December 1994 that all of the first, seventh, and tenth graders were required to undergo electrocardiography. This nationwide cardiac screening system, which is unique in the world, has led to early detection of heart disease and prevention of sudden cardiac deaths. The current decrease in sudden cardiac deaths in children results from changes in diagnostic and therapeutic devices and changes in guidelines over time. In this paper, we discuss the latest guidelines and the status of pediatric sudden deaths in Japan to increase awareness and aid in the goal of achieving zero pediatric sudden cardiac deaths. Furthermore, we also diagnose hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as it can be successfully detected early by cardiac screening.