title: [Current concepts on sudden death].
abstract: Sudden death is defined as the death occurring less than one hour before the onset of the patient's symptoms. It is a severe condition considered a public health issue in several countries and in ours, it accounts for 33 000 to 53 000 annual deaths mainly related to ischemic heart disease. The main cause of sudden death are severe ventricular arrhythmias, but determining what patients are at risk for such an episode is complex, that is why risk stratification is usually a low cost-effective intervention. In the present study, we describe different sudden death risk-stratification strategies. Different sudden death treatment strategies regarding general population have different success rates in different countries, nevertheless, among select high risk populations; the best therapy currently available is the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. We also discuss other treatment options. In Mexico it is deemed necessary to do an important effort for the early detection, prevention and treatment of sudden death in order to limit the consequences of this problem.
authors.affiliation: Clinica de Arritmias y Marcapasos, Departamento de Cardiología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán", Vasco de Quiroga 15, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, México 14000 D.F. easensio@avantel.net
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asensio
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Narváez
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dorantes
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oseguera
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orea
authors.forename: PabloR
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rebollar
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mont
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brugada
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans