The current status of interventions aiming at reducing sudden cardiac death in dialysis patients.
Mortality in dialysis patients is extremely high, with an annual death rate of approximately 23%. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the single largest cause of death in dialysis patients accounting for approximately 60% of all cardiac deaths and 25% of all-cause mortality. Interventions aiming at reducing cardiovascular mortality, especially SCD, in dialysis patients are therefore extremely important and clinically highly relevant. The purpose of this review is to give an outline of the epidemiology of SCD in dialysis patients and to provide a comprehensive overview of several interventional strategies (medical therapies, changing dialysis modality, and revascularization). Furthermore, it will discuss the current knowledge regarding the value of preventive implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and address future implications of the interventional strategies mentioned.
de Bie
Mihály K
MK
Department of Cardiology C5-P, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600 2300, RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
van Dam
Bastiaan
B
Gaasbeek
André
A
van Buren
Marjolijn
M
van Erven
Lieselot
L
Bax
Jeroen J
JJ
Schalij
Martin J
MJ
Rabelink
Ton J
TJ
Jukema
J Wouter
JW
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin