| PERSPECTIVE |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 1 | Page : 24-32 |
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Risk Stratification of Sudden Cardiac Death: A Multi-racial Perspective
Dean M Abtahi, John Alvin Gayee Kpaeyeh, Michael R Gold
Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Correspondence Address:
Jr Michael R Gold
Medical University of South Carolina, 114, Doughty Street, MSC 592, Charleston, South Carolina 29425-5920
USA
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2352-4197.191479
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Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and a major international health problem, with an estimated 3.7 million deaths occurring annually, accounting for approximately 15%–20% of all deaths worldwide. The implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) is an effective treatment of SCD and has had a major impact on outcomes. However, this therapy has been largely used in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. A changing epidemiology of SCD with fewer patients having marked reductions in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has renewed the focus on identifying other high risk populations. This article summarizes the current understanding of the diverse clinical, genetic, racial, electrocardiographic and imaging techniques available to detect patients most at risk. Despite many identified risk factors, no single predictor has been shown to have sufficient predictive value to be used to guide preventative therapy and reduce mortality. More recent effort has been directed towards combining markers to define a risk profile for identifying high risk cohorts. |
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