Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden Cardiac Death Pathophysiology

unexpected death from abrupt disruption in cardiac function leading to loss of effective cardiac output losing cerebral blood flow and causes a pt to collapse/death

Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death

#1 Ventricular Dysrhythmias: dangerous rhythms cant effectively contract

Sudden Cardiac Death Symptoms

Possible symptoms

• chest pain

• palpitation

• dyspnea

• dizzy

death 1hr of onset

Dx Studies Sudden Cardiac Death

• 24 hr holter monitor: detect arrhythmia

• exercise stress test

• electrophysiologic study

Sudden Cardiac Death Tx

• Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)

  • icd can detect the dangerous ventricular rhythm which then can give a shock to the pt