Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death during electronic gaming: An international case series and systematic review

Abstract

Background Electronic gaming has recently been reported as a precipitant of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia in susceptible individuals.

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the population at risk, the nature of cardiac events, and the type of game linked to cardiac arrhythmia associated with electronic gaming.

Methods A multisite international case series of suspected or proven cardiac arrhythmia during electronic gaming in children and a systematic review of the literature were performed.

Results Twenty-two patients (18 in the case series and 4 via systematic review; aged 7–16 years; 19 males [86%]) were identified as having experienced suspected or proven ventricular arrhythmia during electronic gaming; 6 (27%) had experienced cardiac arrest, and 4 (18%) died suddenly. A proarrhythmic cardiac diagnosis was known in 7 (31%) patients before their gaming event and was established afterward in 12 (54%). Ten patients (45%) had catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, 4 (18%) had long QT syndrome, 2 (9%) were post–congenital cardiac surgery, 2 (9%) had “idiopathic” ventricular fibrillation, and 1 (after Kawasaki disease) had coronary ischemia. In 3 patients (14%), including 2 who died, the diagnosis remains unknown. In 13 (59%) patients for whom the electronic game details were known, 8 (62%) were war games.

Conclusion Electronic gaming can precipitate lethal cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible children. The incidence appears to be low, but syncope in this setting should be investigated thoroughly. In children with proarrhythmic cardiac conditions, electronic war games in particular are a potent arrhythmic trigger.