Key result
Left ventricular dysfunction is the strongest predictor of sudden cardiac death in patients with structural heart disease, while noninvasive markers often lack specificity.
Left ventricular dysfunction remains the strongest predictor of sudden cardiac death in structural heart disease, whereas noninvasive markers lack specificity and electrophysiologic studies are costly and invasive.
Supports LVEF-based SCD stratification in structural heart disease; leaves open validation of specific noninvasive markers.
The initial challenge in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) lies in identifying those at greatest risk, before the index event. Ventricular fibrillation is the leading cause of SCD; however, many clinical conditions predispose fatal ventricular dysrhythmias. In patients with structural heart disease, left ventricular dysfunction is the strongest predictor of SCD. Noninvasive markers such as nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, delayed potentials, decreased heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity, and repolarization alternans are further observed to assess risk in ischemic cardiomyopathy; however, most of these markers have poor positive predictive value and lack specificity. The electrophysiologic study has strong positive predictive value, but remains a costly and invasive method for risk stratification. In patients with normal hearts, genetic predisposition may identify patients at risk but clinical markers are not readily recognized. The implantable loop recorder is a useful tool in detecting dysrhythmic causes of syncope and identifying patients at risk for SCD.
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Obias-Manno et al. (2004) conducted a review in Sudden Cardiac Death. Left ventricular dysfunction is the strongest predictor of sudden cardiac death in patients with structural heart disease, while noninvasive markers often lack specificity.
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