Abstract
Background:
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes is a rare but catastrophic event, often occurring in individuals without previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease. Risk varies by demographic and athletic factors, with higher incidence observed among male and Black athletes and those participating in high-intensity sports such as basketball.
Objective:
To evaluate research trends, collaboration patterns, and key themes related to the prevention and risk factors of SCD in athletes.
Methods:
A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the PubMed database, including English-language human studies published between 1988 and 2026. Search terms included “sudden cardiac death,” “athlete,” and related prevention and risk terms. Publication trends, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence were analyzed.
Results:
Publications increased significantly beginning in the mid-2000s, reflecting growing awareness of SCD in athletes. Collaboration networks revealed distinct research clusters, indicating both established partnerships and opportunities for broader collaboration. Keyword analysis identified electrocardiography and echocardiography as central to screening and early detection. MeSH term trends demonstrated a strong focus on adolescent and young adult populations.
Conclusions:
Research on SCD in athletes is increasingly focused on prevention through early identification and screening of at-risk individuals. However, gaps remain in collaborative diversity and evolving research areas. Future efforts should emphasize standardized, cost-effective screening strategies and expanded multicenter collaboration to improve early detection and reduce the burden of SCD in athletic populations.
