Insights into Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Assessment-Insights into Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Assessment

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In a recent oral abstract session, researchers presented various studies related to sudden cardiac death (SCD) and its underlying factors, particularly focusing on the role of weight status and genetics, as well as insights from autopsy data.<br /><br />James Salazar from UCSF introduced a study on the relationship between weight status and SCD, using a prospective autopsy-based investigation. His findings indicated that abnormal weight, especially obesity, significantly increases the risk of SCD, predominantly due to arrhythmic causes. Importantly, nearly half of presumed SCDs were found not to be arrhythmic upon autopsy, suggesting misassociations with conditions like QT-prolonging medications due to non-cardiac deaths.<br /><br />Following Salazar, other researchers examined various genetic and physiological factors. A study by others explored fragmented QRS on EKGs associated with arrhythmic death and fibrosis, proposing it as a risk marker. Another study analyzed PKP2-related arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, revealing increased ventricular arrhythmias during exercise recovery phase, potentially aiding in distinguishing this from similar conditions.<br /><br />Paolo Compagnucci discussed ventricular arrhythmias in athletes, underscoring cautious assessment due to potential underlying cardiomyopathies. Those with common morphologies like infundibular had lower risk, highlighting the importance of comprehensive evaluations including CMR and invasive assessments.<br /><br />Lastly, a study on myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) in sudden deaths revealed a significant prevalence, with older cases often non-arrhythmic, emphasizing the need for early detection and understanding non-arrhythmic causes.<br /><br />Overall, these studies advocate for refined diagnostic methods and preventive strategies to better address sudden cardiac death risks across different populations.

Keywords

sudden cardiac death

weight status

genetics

autopsy data

obesity

arrhythmic causes

fragmented QRS

arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

ventricular arrhythmias

MINOCA