The difference between cardiogenic sudden death and cerebrogenic sudden death.

Written by Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
Updated on September 30, 2024
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The concept of sudden cardiac death exists, but there doesn't seem to be an equivalent term for "sudden brain death." For instance, if a large cerebral hemorrhage occurs and the patient dies within a very short time, this is referred to as death due to cerebral hemorrhage, not sudden death. Sudden death is characterized by death occurring unexpectedly within just a few minutes. The main difference between these, I think, is time. Sudden cardiac death happens very quickly and unexpectedly, which is why it's termed sudden death. In the case of brain-related issues, such as a significant cerebral hemorrhage, especially in the brainstem, it can compress the vital centers, leading to rapid respiratory and circulatory failure, and eventually death. Compared to sudden cardiac death, there is a slight delay in brain-related deaths; they don't occur as swiftly, and I believe the major difference lies in the timing.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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What does sudden cardiac death mean?

Sudden cardiac death refers to the sudden mortality caused by heart diseases, and the reasons for sudden cardiac death primarily include the following aspects: First, structural heart diseases, such as coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction; acute myocardial infarction is currently the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Second, certain ion channel diseases, such as Brugada syndrome, or long QT syndrome. These types of ion channel diseases often coincide with malignant ventricular arrhythmias, such as torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, thus leading to the occurrence of these fatal phenomena. Third, severe arrhythmias, such as severe bradycardia or ventricular tachycardia related to structural heart disease, often trigger malignant ventricular arrhythmias, leading to death.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
44sec home-news-image

The difference between sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction

Sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction are both types of coronary heart disease, but they are different from each other. Firstly, having a myocardial infarction does not necessarily result in sudden death. Myocardial damage involves a large area of necrosis in the heart, and the patient may experience symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and sweating. The main symptom of sudden cardiac death is the abrupt cessation of vital signs, with breathing and pulse disappearing. This condition can be caused by a large and extensive acute myocardial infarction, but it can also be caused by other reasons such as electrolyte disturbances or malignant arrhythmias, which are different causes.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Is sudden cardiac death an acute myocardial infarction?

Sudden cardiac death refers to a phenomenon where a variety of heart diseases cause acute death in patients, with the most common causes being malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or severe bradycardia, primarily related to myocardial infarction. However, not all cases of sudden cardiac death are due to myocardial infarction; this condition generally accounts for about 70%. Other causes of sudden cardiac death include existing dilated cardiomyopathy, thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy, or severe terminal stenosis of the mitral or aortic valves, which can also lead to sudden cardiac death. Another scenario involves atrial fibrillation leading to atrial thrombosis, causing thrombus detachment and resulting in extensive cerebral infarction leading to sudden death; this is also classified as sudden cardiac death. Therefore, while the majority of sudden cardiac deaths are related to myocardial infarction and arrhythmias, not all sudden cardiac deaths are due to myocardial infarction.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can sudden cardiac death be hereditary?

Sudden cardiac death has genetic characteristics, and common causes of sudden cardiac death mainly include the following aspects: Coronary heart disease, angina, and myocardial infarction, especially acute myocardial infarction, often lead to sudden death in patients; Secondly, long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome are also common diseases causing sudden cardiac death and have genetic characteristics as hereditary arrhythmogenic disorders; Thirdly, aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism. These diseases are usually not highly related to genetics but can also cause sudden cardiac death, hence sudden cardiac death is genetic.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Why does cardiogenic sudden death cause pallor throughout the body?

Sudden cardiac death occurs due to heart thrombosis or heart failure caused by various reasons whereby the heart cannot supply blood, leading to death. Most people experience hypotensive shock, insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the body before dying, thus appearing pale, with low blood pressure, and even cyanosis, with cessation of breathing and heartbeat. Some individuals suffer from heart thrombus dislodging into the brain, causing cerebral arterial infarction. Such extensive cerebral infarctions can also lead to the cessation of heartbeat, resulting in insufficient blood and oxygen supply throughout the body, manifesting as pallor and cyanosis.