Key result
Systematic tiered evaluation identifies a specific diagnosis in ~50% of unexplained cardiac arrest survivors.
Why the study?
Identifying the underlying cause of unexplained cardiac arrest is critical to prevent recurrence in survivors and evaluate family members at risk.
A systematic approach to investigating unexplained cardiac arrest can identify a specific diagnosis in up to 50% of patients, guiding management for survivors and at-risk family members.
May guide targeted therapy in unexplained cardiac arrest survivors; leaves open prospective validation of yield and outcomes.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a common cause of death. The majority of SCA is caused by ventricular arrhythmia due to underlying CHD. Aborted SCA with no apparent diagnosis after initial assessment with ECG, echocardiography and coronary assessment is referred to as unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA). Systematic evaluation of such patients may reveal a specific diagnosis in up to half of patients before a diagnosis of idiopathic VF is assigned. Specific diagnoses include inherited cardiac conditions, such as latent cardiomyopathies or inherited primary electrical disease. Identifying the cause of UCA is therefore not only critical for appropriate management of the SCA survivors to prevent recurrence, but also for their family members who may be at risk of the same condition. This review provides a tiered, systematic approach for the investigation of UCA.
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Suna et al. (2023) conducted a review in Unexplained cardiac arrest. Tiered systematic diagnostic evaluation was evaluated. Systematic evaluation of unexplained cardiac arrest survivors using a tiered approach reveals a specific underlying diagnosis in up to half of patients before assigning a diagnosis of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.
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