Abstract 16007: Incremental Value of Broadly Available Electrocardiographic Markers in Prediction of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major public health concern, but effective risk stratification tools are lacking. 12-lead ECG is an attractive means for risk stratification due to low cost and wide availability. Hypothesis: We evaluated whether combining multiple ECG markers previously associated with SCA into a cumulative risk score, would help to better identify individuals at high risk of SCA. Methods: SCA cases with an archived 12-lead ECG available, were identified from an ongoing community-based study in the US Northwest (population ~1 million; 2002-2015). Comparisons were made with geographical controls, of several abnormal ECG parameters including resting heart rate >75bpm, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), delayed QRS transition zone, QRS-T angle >90°, prolonged QTc and T-peak to T-end (TpTe). Any significant findings were externally validated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Results: A total of 522 SCA cases (65.3 ± 14.5 years, 66% male) and 736 controls ...