Has COVID-19 led to more sudden cardiac deaths in football?

It is unclear whether the number of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and survived sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) has increased among football players during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to compare the SCD/SCA burden between the pre-pandemic period and COVID-19 pandemic in football players worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic and an equivalent pre-pandemic period (each lasting 1151 days) were analyzed for SCD/SCA by extracting data from the prospective FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Sudden Death Registry. Particular focus was placed on cardiac diseases acquired through the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, such as myocarditis and coronary artery disease (CAD), potentially leading to SCD/SCA.

There were 454 SCD/SCA (survival rate: 24%) and 380 SCD/SCA (survival rate: 27%) during the pre-pandemic period and COVID-19 pandemic, respectively (p = 0.27). In the pre-pandemic period, out of 191 confirmed and suspected diagnoses, there were 6 (3%) cases of myocarditis and 69 (36%) cases of CAD and during the pandemic out of 136 confirmed and suspected diagnoses, there was 1 (1%) case of myocarditis and 58 (43%) cases of CAD.

The burden of SCD/SCA, particularly myocarditis and CAD, in football players worldwide seemingly has not been higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than during a comparable period before.