Abstract
Sudden cardiac arrest in children is a rare event. However, sudden cardiac arrest of a child is a devastating event. Clinicians should be aware of conditions associated with sudden cardiac arrest in the pediatric population. This article reviews the most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest in the pediatric population. We review recommendations for screening and diagnosis. We also briefly discuss current management recommendations for the various causes of sudden cardiac arrest in the pediatric population.
Highlights
Sudden cardiac arrest can be defined as unexpected collapse, regardless of physical exertion, in a previously asymptomatic person
This review provides a brief overview of the various etiologies of sudden cardiac arrest and death in the pediatric population as well as describes diagnostic criteria, pre-disposing risk factors, and briefly reviews management strategies for some of the most common causes of pediatric sudden cardiac arrest (PSCA)
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sudden cardiac arrest related to primary pulmonary hypertension, aortic rupture in the setting of Marfan’s syndrome, and restrictive cardiomyopathy are not addressed in this review article
Summary
Sudden cardiac arrest can be defined as unexpected collapse, regardless of physical exertion, in a previously asymptomatic person. Cardiac arrest accounts for 25 to 30 percent of all cases of sudden death in the pediatric population. The annual incidence of pediatric sudden cardiac arrest (PSCA) is 1.7 per 100,000 person-years with a reported range of 0.6 to 7.5 cases per 100,000 person-years. This review provides a brief overview of the various etiologies of sudden cardiac arrest and death in the pediatric population as well as describes diagnostic criteria, pre-disposing risk factors, and briefly reviews management strategies for some of the most common causes of PSCA. One study found that an identifiable cardiac malformation was only responsible for 4% of PSCA cases in children under 1 year of age [7]. This article will provide a brief overview of the various etiologies of sudden cardiac arrest and death in the pediatric population as well as describe diagnostic criteria,. Structural Causes (Non-Cardiomyopathy) Congenital aortic stenosis Anomalies of the coronary arteries Valvular disease (excluding aortic valve disease)
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