Sudden Cardiac Death

Question 1

What are most spontaneous lethal cardiac deaths caused by?

Answer 1

Spontaneous lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias - VTach, VFib

Question 2

What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in Mediterranean countries?

Answer 2

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Question 3

What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in middle-aged and older adults in developed nations?

Answer 3

CAD

Question 4

From where do lethal arrhythmias arise? What is the most common scenario?

Answer 4

Pathologic changes affecting conduction properties of the working ventricular myocardium; Acute ischemia in an area of the heart containing healed infarct

Question 5

What conditions can cause sudden cardiac death in a structurally normal heart?

Answer 5

Channelopathies

Question 6

What is Long QT Syndrome? What gain of function mutation can cause Long QT Syndrome?

Answer 6

Condition is defined by prolongation of the QT interval and T-wave abnormalities on the surface ECG along with ahistory of syncope, ventricular arrhythmias or sudden, unexpected death;

SCN5A gain of function

Question 7

What is Brugada Syndrome?

Answer 7

Autosomal dominant disease in a structurally normal heart with characteristic ST segment elevation in right precordial leads/RBBB/susceptibility to life-threatening arrhythmias

Question 8

What is Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia? Cause?

Answer 8

Response to surges in catechols that can cause arrhythmias and sudden death; Mutations in genes that regulate Ca homeostasis