Sudden Cardiac Death.
10.5124/jkma.2010.53.3.214
- Author:
Nam Ho KIM
1
;
Kyeong Ho YUN
;
Seok Kyu OH
Author Information
1. Department of Interal Medicine, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Korea. cardionh@wonkwang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Sudden cardiac death;
Coronary artery disease;
Left ventricular ejection fraction;
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
- MeSH:
Coronary Artery Disease;
Death, Sudden, Cardiac;
Defibrillators;
Heart Arrest;
Humans;
Incidence;
Tachycardia, Ventricular;
Ventricular Fibrillation
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2010;53(3):214-227
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) refers to the unexpected natural death from a cardiac cause within a short time period, generally within an hour from the onset of symptoms, in a person without any prior fatal condition. Despite the tremendous advances in the field of cardiovascular medicine, the incidence of SCD continues to rise. In 60 to 80 percent of cases, SCD occurs in the patients with coronary artery disease. Most instances of SCD are thought to involve ventricular tachycardia degenerating to ventricular fibrillation and subsequent asystole. Since the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is effective in terminating ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, the application of ICD has increased markedly. However, the application of ICD needs to be individualized for the patient, similar to drug therapies in LV systolic dysfunction. This review discusses the current understanding on SCD, risk stratification, and management goals for reducing SCD, particularly with the ICD usage.
