Can we prevent sudden cardiac death?
I ChungAbstract
Background
Coronary artery disease is known to be commonest cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in adults and this study aims to postulate intervention for preventing SCD.
Method
600 of cohort of 10388 patients presented to a teaching hospital with out of hospital arrest between 2013 and 2024 were studied. Continuous variables were compared by Student t tests and categorical variables compared by use of the Fisher exact test. Statistical significant difference was denoted as p<0.05.
Results
Mean age 62.72 ± 16.54, male 73% and were older. Mean age for male and female were 60.70 ± 15.50 and 68.10 ± 17.99 respectively (p<0.001). Hypertension 46%, diabetes mellitus 29%, previous ischaemic heart disease (IHD) 19%, smoking 14%, HbA1c 6.6 ± 1.73%, low density lipoprotein 2.72 ± 1.28 mmol/L. Death 84%. There were 218 ventricular tachyarrhythmias, predominantly ventricular fibrillation. 382 non-shockable rhythm (asystole and pulseless electrical activity) There were 19 females with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, 199 males (91%). Only 30 patients were known to have ischaemic heart disease, 86% patients were not known to have IHD previously.
Conclusions
Males have higher risk at presenting with SCD and 86% of them were not known to have ischaemic heart disease. Aggressive screening for coronary artery disease may be of value to prevent sudden cardiac death.