Sudden cardiac death

Question 1

Define sudden cardiac death

Answer 1

Unexpected, non traumatic death occurring within 1 hour of the onset of new or worsening symptoms (witnessed arrest) or, if unwitnessed, within 24hr of last being seen alive.

Question 2

List categories of common causes of sudden cardiac death and an example of each (6)

Answer 2

IHD - MI
Inherited channelopathies - LQTS
Cardiomyopathies - alcoholic
HF - non preserved EF systolic HF
Valve disease - aortic stenosis
Congenital disease - tetralogy of fallot

Question 3

Cardiac arrest vs heart attack
and the link between the two

Answer 3

Cardiac arrest = heart stops due to electrical problem

Hear attack = lack of oxygen to myocardium due to circulation problem

Link = heart attack is the most common cause of cardiac arrest.

Question 4

Leading cause of SCD

Answer 4

VF