Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram

	Sudden cardiac death Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Sudden Cardiac versus Non-Cardiac Death
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Definitions and Diagnosis
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Urgent Treatment
Post Arrest Care and Prevention
Ethical Issues
Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram
CDC on Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram
Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram in the news
Blogs on Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram
Directions to Hospitals Treating Sudden cardiac death
Risk calculators and risk factors for Sudden cardiac death electrocardiogram

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Zand, M.D.[2]

Overview

An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of Sudden cardiac death. Findings on ECG associated with sudden cardiac arrest include Sinus tachycardia (39%), abnormal T-wave inversions (30%), prolonged QT interval (26%), left/right atrial abnormality (22%), left ventricular hypertrophy (17%), abnormal frontal QRS axis (17%), delayed QRS-transition zone in precordial leads (13%), pathological Q waves (13%), intraventricular conduction delays (9%), multiple premature ventricular contractions (9%), normal ECG (9%)

An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of Sudden cardiac death. Findings on ECG associated with sudden cardiac arrest may include:^[1]

Class I (Level of Evidence: B)
Ambulatory ECG monitoring is recommended in patients with symptoms of syncope, presyncope, palpitation suspected ventricular arrhythmia

Class of recommendation	Level of evidence	Recommendation for ECG and exercise tredmile test
1	B	In patients with wide complex tachycardia and hemodynamically stable, 12 leads ECG should be obtained
1	B	Exercise stress test should be obtained in patients suspected arrhythmia-related exercise such as ischemic heart disease or cathecolaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
1	B	In patients with documented ventricular arrhythmia, 12 leads ECG should be obtained during sinus rhythm for evaluation of underlying heart disease

A chest x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of the underlying cause of cardiac arrest such as cardiomegally, pulmonary congestion, massive pericardial effusion, widening aorta silhouette.

Echocardiography may be helpful in the diagnosis the cause of lethal arrhythmia and sudden cardiac arrest by assessment of the following:^[2]

↑ Jayaraman, Reshmy; Reinier, Kyndaron; Nair, Sandeep; Aro, Aapo L.; Uy-Evanado, Audrey; Rusinaru, Carmen; Stecker, Eric C.; Gunson, Karen; Jui, Jonathan; Chugh, Sumeet S. (2018). "Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young". Circulation. 137 (15): 1561–1570. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031262. ISSN 0009-7322.
↑ Parker, Brian K.; Salerno, Alexis; Euerle, Brian D. (2018). "The Use of Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation: A Literature Review". Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 38 (5): 1141–1151. doi:10.1002/jum.14794. ISSN 0278-4297.