Sudden cardiac death reading Flashcards
Recommendations for PCPs
All children should be evaluated
for conditions predisposing to
SCA and SCD in the course of routine health care.
Recommendations for PCPs
A thorough and detailed history,
family history, and physical examination are necessary to begin
assessing SCA and SCD risk.
Recommendations for PCPs
The ECG should be the first test
ordered when there is concern
for SCA risk. The ECG should be
interpreted by a physician
trained in recognizing electrical
heart disease.
ECGs should not be performed without clinical history
Recommendations for PCPs
Do not trust the computer interpretation of the ECG
Primary prevention
Screening for risk
Secondary prevention
Emergency action plans– CPR, AEDs
Strategy for sudden death prevention
the same screening detail that is
used for athletes should also be
applied to the nonathlete.
1 of 4 questions to identify risk
1 Have you ever fainted, passed
out, or had an unexplained seizure suddenly and without warning, especially during exercise or in response to sudden loud noises, such as doorbells, alarm
clocks, and ringing telephones?
1 of 4 questions to identify risk
- Have you ever had exercise-related chest pain or shortness of breath?
1 of 4 questions to identify risk
- Has anyone in your immediate
family (parents, grandparents,
siblings) or other, more distant
relatives (aunts, uncles, cousins)
died of heart problems or had an
unexpected sudden death before
age 50? This would include unexpected drownings, unexplained
auto crashes in which the relative
was driving, or SIDS
1 of 4 questions to identify risk
- Are you related to anyone with HCM or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, Marfan syndrome, ACM, LQTS, short QT syndrome, BrS, or CPVT or anyone younger than 50 years with a pacemaker, or implantable defibrillators?
What should be done if there is a positive response to any of the identifying risk questions or an abnormal ECG
Referral to a pediatric cardiologist or pediatric electrophysiologist
