The role of screening electrocardiograms in the evaluation of ROTC cadets applying for flight status

The majority of sudden, nontraumatic deaths in young, otherwise healthy individuals result from an unknown underlying cardiac abnormality. The low sensitivity of the traditional history and physical exam in detecting these anomalies has led to a debate regarding the use of routine screening electrocardiograms (ECGs) in young adults. The present study screened 1,099 ROTC cadets applying for aviator status during the summers of 2005 and 2006. Seven candidates (0.6%) were disqualified because of ECG abnormalities, including two with Wolf Parkinson White syndrome. None of the individuals were identified by history and physical exam. ECG was an effective screening tool for detecting silent abnormalities with potential for arrhythmia in our population of healthy young adults. Other ECG findings indicative of anatomic abnormalities were not found. ECG screening can be a valuable tool and should be used in evaluating certain subsets of the population.