Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for approximately 50% of deaths due to cardiovascular disease in developed countries.(1) Cardiac arrest survival rates are improving, providing an opportunity to thoroughly investigate for an underlying cause in the sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivor.(2) Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the cause in approximately 80% of survivors.(3) However, a cause may not be identified after initial assessment with an ECG, echocardiogram, and coronary assessment in a significant proportion of SCA survivors, leading to a diagnosis of unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA).(2,4)
This article will highlight the current available investigations for a SCA survivor with UCA.
Author Sub-editor: Dr Pok-Tin Tang Dr Pok-Tin Tang is an ST5 cardiology registrar in the Thames Valley deanery, currently undertaking a period of out of
Author Sub-editor: Dr May Hu Dr May Hu is a cardiology trainee in the North West deanery. She graduated with First Class Honours from the University
Author Sub-editor: Dr Jhiamluka Solano Dr Jhiamluka Solano is a cardiology resident doctor (ST6) in the Yorkshire and Humber Deanery, currently undertaking a DPhil (PhD)
Author Sub-editor: Dr Joshua Rowland Dr Joshua Rowland is a cardiology registrar working in the North West Deanery. He graduated from the University of Manchester
Author Sub-editor: Dr Atmadeep Banerjee Dr Atmadeep Banerjee is an ST4 Cardiology Registrar in the Kent, Surrey and Sussex deanery. He graduated from Calcutta National
