This is a research protocol with explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria. It cannot be combined with other scan protocols. Per Dr. Gunn, these are the criteria:
Study population:
All survivors of idiopathic sudden death, including presumed idiopathic sudden cardiac death, that reach the Emergency Department and who are clinically stable to undergo CT scanning.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients reaching the Emergency Department within 6 hours of resuscitated idiopathic sudden death (any initial cardiac rhythm).
- Cause of the sudden death episode is not obvious to the treating ED physician (i.e., a idiopathic sudden death event) after acute initial evaluation with standard of care.
- Clinically stable to have CT performed per treating physician.
- Candidates for continued intubation and sedation during the CT scan with or without therapeutic hypothermia protocol.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Meets criteria for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (ST elevation ≥1 contiguous lead or new or unknown duration left bundle branch block on ECG)
- Obvious cause of sudden death – Examples: witnessed trauma, drowning, suicide attempt
- Known non-revascularized coronary artery disease or coronary stent <2.5 mm.
- Known severe renal dysfunction (baseline eGFR<30 ml/hr, creatinine >1.7 mg/dl)
- Implantable defibrillator, due to metal artifact from defibrillator coil
- Known iodinated contrast allergy
- Known hospice patient or terminal disease with expected <3 months survival
For more information on ordering, protocoling, etc., click here.