Multidisciplinary Management Enables Safe Return to Sports in a Pediatric Sudden Cardiac Death Survivor.

BACKGROUND

Sudden cardiac death in infants is rare and is often linked to early-onset arrhythmogenic syndromes; unclear causes can lead to overly restrictive behavior owing to fear of recurrence.

CASE SUMMARY: We report an 8-month-old male infant who survived a cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and who was treated with beta-blockers, sympathetic denervation, ablation, loop recorder, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Genetic testing revealed multiple ambiguous variants. Six years of remote monitoring showed no arrhythmia recurrence. Multidisciplinary care enabled gradual, safe reintroduction of moderate physical activity.

DISCUSSION: This case underscores the pivotal role of periodic reassessment and personalized management in pediatric cardiac arrest survivors, even in cases where genetic findings are inconclusive.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification and treatment of arrhythmic focus, as well as cardiac monitoring, the use of devices for secondary prevention, and shared decision-making support, ensured a safe and selective return to sports.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Multidisciplinary care and periodic reassessment support individualized risk stratification and management to facilitate safe sports.