Prediction and Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death

Abstract

Sudden death is a major problem, with significant impact on public health. Many conditions predispose to sudden cardiac death and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), foremost among them coronary artery disease, and an effective therapy exists in the form of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Risk stratification for SCA remains imperfect, especially for patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Ongoing trials may make it easier to identify those at high risk, and potentially those at very low risk, in the future.

Keywords: Ischemic heart disease; Left ventricular ejection fraction; Nonischemic cardiomyopathy; Sudden cardiac arrest; Sudden cardiac death.