AANA Fellowship Education - Medical Issues in Sports Medicine: Infectious Disease, Cardiac/Pulmonary, Blunt Injuries, Heat Illness/Stroke, and COVID-19 and Sports-Medical Issues in Sports Medicine: Infectious Disease, Cardiac/Pulmonary, Blunt Injuries, Heat Illness/Stroke, and COVID-19 and Sports

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The Arthroscopy Association of North America Fellowship Education Series presented a comprehensive webinar focusing on critical medical issues in sports medicine, including infectious diseases, cardiopulmonary concerns, blunt injuries, heat illness, stroke, and the impact of COVID-19 on athlete care. Moderated by Dr. Andrew Bletcher, the session featured expert panelists Dr. Kathy Weber, Dr. Andrew Gottschalk, and Dr. Dusty Narducci, who shared insights based on their extensive experience with professional and collegiate athletes.<br /><br />Dr. Bletcher detailed exertional heat illness, emphasizing the spectrum from heat cramps to potentially fatal exertional heat stroke. He discussed heat dissipation physiology, risk factors like age and acclimatization, clinical signs, and evidence-based emergency cooling methods, notably whole-body ice water immersion, to reduce mortality.<br /><br />Dr. Weber addressed sudden cardiac death, noting most affected athletes are asymptomatic before events. She highlighted screening importance via history, physical exams, and debated ECG usage. Pulmonary issues like asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, alongside blunt trauma cases involving facial injuries and hyphema, were also covered with management strategies.<br /><br />Dr. Gottschalk focused on infectious diseases, underscoring the complexity of MRSA and the importance of hygiene over surface cleaning. He emphasized STI awareness, prudent testing protocols, vaccination challenges, and building trust for effective disease prevention and treatment.<br /><br />Dr. Narducci discussed COVID-19's evolving challenges in sports, including testing nuances (NAAT vs. antigen), quarantine protocols, risks stratification based on community prevalence, athlete travel considerations, and return-to-play guidelines. She highlighted myocarditis concerns post-COVID, variable screening strategies, and the critical but often overlooked mental health impacts on athletes during the pandemic.<br /><br />The program concluded with illustrative case studies demonstrating practical application of these principles in emergency scenarios, heat stroke management during triathlons, and differential diagnosis of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms. The session underscored interdisciplinary collaboration, continuous education, and proactive athlete care amidst ongoing health challenges.

Asset Caption

Andrew Blecher, M.D. | Andrew Gottschalk, M.D. | Kathy Weber, M.D., M.B.A. | Dusty M. Narducci, M.D.

Keywords

Arthroscopy Association of North America

sports medicine

infectious diseases

cardiopulmonary concerns

exertional heat illness

sudden cardiac death

asthma

blunt trauma

MRSA

sexually transmitted infections

COVID-19 in athletes

myocarditis

mental health in athletes