DWM SILENT MI X SCD

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• In this case–control study of patients (N = 5869) experiencing sudden cardiac death (SCD) without a prior diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), the authors evaluated the prevalence of silent myocardial infarction. Based on prior ECG readings and cardiac scarring on autopsy, the authors determined that 74.8% of individuals suffered SCD due to CAD, and 53.2% of these individuals had no previous CAD diagnosis. Of individuals with SCD but no prior CAD diagnosis, 42.4% experienced silent myocardial infarction. Other factors associated with silent myocardial infarction included older age, higher heart weight, and male gender. Of patients experiencing SCD after silent myocardial infarction, 66.8% had a prior abnormal ECG.

• The authors concluded that the incidence of SCD in this population is associated with silent myocardial infarction, even in individuals without previously diagnosed CAD. They suggest that ECG detection of silent myocardial infarction may aid in the prevention of SCD in this population.