Sudden Cardiac Death: Who Is at Risk?

Mohammad-Ali Jazayeri; Martin P Emert

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2019.04.006

Sudden Cardiac Death: Who Is at Risk?

Med Clin North Am. 2019 Sep;103(5):913-930. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2019.04.006.

Authors

Mohammad-Ali Jazayeri¹, Martin P Emert²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mailstop 3006, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
² Division of Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 4000 Cambridge Street, Mailstop 4023, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: mpemert@kumc.edu.

PMID: 31378334
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2019.04.006

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading cause of death in the United States. Despite improvements in therapy, the incidence of SCD as a proportion of overall cardiovascular death remains relatively unchanged. This article aims to answer the question, "Who is at risk for SCD?" In the process, it reviews the definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and risk factors of SCD. Patients at risk for SCD and appropriate treatment strategies are discussed.

Keywords: Arrhythmias; Cardiac arrest; Electrophysiology; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Ischemic heart disease; Sudden cardiac death; Ventricular fibrillation; Ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Coronary Disease / complications*
Coronary Disease / physiopathology
Death, Sudden, Cardiac / epidemiology*
Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Risk Assessment
Stroke Volume
United States / epidemiology