Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome: A Fatal Cardiac Event

Cardiovascular disease accounts for a significant number of deaths, in the United States, each year. For many individuals the complications involve coronary artery disease and a condition commonly referred to as Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome, SADS, resulting in nearly 300,000 deaths each year.

SADS, or Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome, is a term used to describe the sudden cardiac arrest, and death, of an individual who, in most cases, was not aware a cardiac complication existed. In fact, of the 300,000 cardiovascular deaths each year, as many as five percent may be attributed to the complications of SADS.

The most common causes of Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS) involve atherosclerosis, a drug induced electrolyte imbalance, viral infection of the heart and even stenosis of the aortic valves. In other patients, the complications may be the result of Sick sinus syndrome, congenital or genetic defects involving the QT interval and even Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In fact, some studies have shown that even Sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, may be linked to a complication involving SADS.

When a patient is the victim of SADS, most often the cardiac event will be attributed to an event that involves a sudden, and unexpected, physical or emotional event. In many cases, death occurs in the event, often while the patient is asleep.

At autopsy, many individuals who are confirmed as passing from Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS), show evidence of complications at the QT interval. Because the QT interval is difficult to ascertain on most cardiac tests, these individuals, even with pre-existing cardiac complaints, are often not classified as "at-risk" for a SADS event.

One area of concern, however, is the increased frequency with which a SADS patient may have suffered from seizure and episodes of syncope prior to the fatal event. For this reason, if you are a cardiac patient, suffering from these types of health complications, it is important to seek medical attention early and discuss the possibility of SADS as a potential complication.

As with any cardiovascular event, the key to your optimal health lies in the early diagnosis and treatment by a cardiologist. Often, the incidence of Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS) is not anticipated, leaving many families surprised and shocked over the cardiac event that leads to death. With the QT interval as a possible indicator, along with pre-existing complications of seizure and syncope, the consideration should be made to place you "at-risk" for SADS and apply the appropriate treatment.