The New AHA/ACC Guidelines for Competitive Sports Participation in Young Athletes With Anomalous Coronary Arteries: The Evolution of Change

The new AHA/ACC Scientific Statement represents significant progress regarding the management of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) by liberalizing the exercise restrictions on those asymptomatic patients with anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery. More data regarding the risk of and risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD) from AAOCA are needed and can only be obtained with collaboration between multiple centers. Future statements or guidelines should focus on a more detailed definition of ‘‘asymptomatic’’ as well as on additional provocative screening evaluations for risk of SCD prior to allowing these children to return to competitive sport.