Identifiable risk factors for sudden cardiac death

Investigators may have identified potential risk factors indicative of high risk of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome in young patients.

In a study published in The American Journal of Cardiology, the investigators examined the medical record, electrocardiogram, autopsy report and national register data to identify patients aged 0 to 35 years who died from sudden cardiac death between 2000 and 2010.

The investigators noted that about 22% of the sudden cardiac deaths were attributed to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome. Among them, male sex was the most prevalent, the median age at death was 23 years and 18% of them had pathologic ECGs. Further, a large proportion of those who experienced sudden arrhythmic death syndrome had visited a health care provider 180 days prior to death, had a history of cardiovascular disease or had psychiatric diagnoses. The investigators found that the patients often reported nausea and vomiting within 24 hours of death.

The findings could present opportunities to help identify patients at high risk of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.

Read more: The American Journal of Cardiology

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