Mind the gap: Knowledge deficits in evaluating young sudden cardiac death

Heart Rhythm. 2020 Dec;17(12):2208-2214. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.07.029. Epub 2020 Jul 25.

Abstract

Sudden cardiac arrest affects around half a million people aged under 50 years old annually, with a 90% mortality rate. Despite high patient numbers and clear clinical need to improve outcomes, many gaps exist in the evidence underpinning patients' management. Domains identifying the greatest barriers to conducting trials are the prehospital and forensic settings, which also provide care to the majority of patients. Addressing gaps in evidence along each point of the cardiac arrest trajectory is a key clinical priority.

Keywords: Ambulance; Evidence-based medicine; Forensic; Sudden cardiac death; Systems analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / epidemiology
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology*
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Young Adult