J Korean Med Assoc.  2010 Mar;53(3):214-227. 10.5124/jkma.2010.53.3.214.

Sudden Cardiac Death

• Kim NH
• Yun KH
• Oh SK

• KMID: 1775333
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2010.53.3.214

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) refers to the unexpected natural death from a cardiac cause within a short time period, generally within an hour from the onset of symptoms, in a person without any prior fatal condition. Despite the tremendous advances in the field of cardiovascular medicine, the incidence of SCD continues to rise. In 60 to 80 percent of cases, SCD occurs in the patients with coronary artery disease. Most instances of SCD are thought to involve ventricular tachycardia degenerating to ventricular fibrillation and subsequent asystole. Since the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is effective in terminating ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, the application of ICD has increased markedly. However, the application of ICD needs to be individualized for the patient, similar to drug therapies in LV systolic dysfunction. This review discusses the current understanding on SCD, risk stratification, and management goals for reducing SCD, particularly with the ICD usage.

Keyword

Sudden cardiac death; Coronary artery disease; Left ventricular ejection fraction; Implantable cardioverter defibrillator

MeSH Terms

Coronary Artery Disease
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Defibrillators
Heart Arrest
Humans
Incidence
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Ventricular Fibrillation

Figure

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  Figure 1 The pathogenesis of sudden cardiac death. Structural cardiac abnormalities are commonly defined as the causative basis for sudden cardiac death. However, functional alterations of the abnormal anatomical substrates are usually required to alter stability of the myocardium, permitting a potentially fatal arrhythmia to be initiated.

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  Figure 2 Prevention of sudden cardiac death. The identification and control of atherosclerotic risk factors are important to prevent the sudden cardiac death. CAD: coronary artery disease, SCD: sudden cardiac

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