Sudden cardiac death: epidemiology and risk factors

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an important public-health problem with multiple etiologies, risk factors, and changing temporal trends. Substantial progress has been made over the past few decades in identifying markers that confer increased SCD risk at the population level. However, the quest for predicting the high-risk individual who could be a candidate for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or other therapy, continues. In this article, we review the incidence, temporal trends, and triggers of SCD, and its demographic, clinical, and genetic risk factors. We also discuss the available evidence supporting the use of public-access defibrillators.

Differential Survival for Men and Women from Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Varies by Age: Results from the OPALS Study

“…Men have a threefold higher incidence of OHCA than women, especially in middle age. 7 Further, almost all studies examining sex show a survival-to-admission advantage in women. [8][9][10][11][12] However, data on survival to hospital discharge are conflicting.…”

Predicting and Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death

“…[1][2][3][4] SCD results in Ϸ250 000 to 300 000 deaths annually in the United States, [1][2][3][4] and is characterized by unexpected cardiovascular collapse due to an underlying cardiovascular cause. 1,2 SCD represents a major challenge for the clinician because most episodes occur in individuals without previously known cardiac disease.…”

Overexpression of M3 Muscarinic Receptor Is a Novel Strategy for Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in Transgenic Mice

“…It can also cause more deaths than acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), lung and breast cancer and stroke combined (1). In China, preliminary data suggest that there are over 544,000 adults with sudden cardiac death each year (2).…”