Causes and epidemiology of sudden cardiac death

The present article is trying to elucidate the various causes and the epidemiology of cardiopulmonary arrest (CA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD). Populations at risk for SCD is difficult to recognize, mainly due to the varying incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), while epidemiological studies have shown that the greatest risk for SCD is during normal everyday activities. Age, hereditary factors, sex, and lifestyle appear to be implicated in the occurrence of SCD. Nevertheless, various studies have shown that these factors integrate for someone to become victim of CA. Smoking and obesity have been proven as independent risk factors for CA in older individuals. CAD remains an ever increasing cause of mortality and morbidity in epidemiologically studied populations and patients’ subgroups. The most common lethal arrhythmia associated with CA is ventricular fibrillation for outpatient victims of CA. There is an increase in the identification of genetic predisposing factors in the pathology of SCD.

Category: Volume 46, N 3
Hits: 752 Hits
Created Date: 15-09-2007
Authors: Dimitrios Barouxis , Theodoros Xanthos