Key take-aways
- A retrospective observational study found that 22% of cases of sudden cardiac death were due to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).
- Syncope, seizure-like episodes and changes in electrocardiograms were common signs that preceded SADS.
- Identifying these signs is important during healthcare visits and also during preparticipation screening of young athletes, which should be implemented more widely.
A Swedish study examined sudden cardiac deaths in individuals aged 1 to 36 years between 2000 and 2010. It found that approximately 22% of these deaths were due to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), a condition where the heart's electrical system malfunctions, leading to sudden cardiac arrest without an obvious cause. 64% of SADS cases were male, with a median age of 23 years.
The study revealed that about one-third of those who died from SADS had been hospitalized or visited outpatient care within 180 days before death. Symptoms such as fainting (syncope), seizure-like episodes, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and signs of infection were reported in approximately half of the cases prior to death.
These findings suggest that recognizing early warning signs could help identify individuals at risk for SADS. Preparticipation screening in young athletes is also recommended to detect risk factors early.
Read the full article here.
SOURCE: European Society of Cardiology