Sudden cardiac arrest during the immediate revascularization period in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction: A case series

Abstract Introduction The timing of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) after myocardial infarction (MI) has been a subject of research because of the impact on preventive strategies. Currently, there is limited data on the risk of SCA in the immediate post revascularization period (≤48 h) in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical record system and identified patients who underwent revascularization for NSTEMI at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia between January 1st, 2014–December 31st, 2019. We selected patients who had SCA within 48 h of revascularization and evaluated their socio-demographic and inpatient characteristics and outcomes. Results Sixteen (16) cases of SCA in the immediate post revascularization period (within 48 h) were identified and analyzed which corresponds to an incidence rate of 1.8% (n  = 16/869). The mean age (SD) was 69 years (14.6) and 75% were males. On angiography , more than 80% of the patients had hemodynamically significant lesions in the left anterior descending arteries and its territories and 50% had multivessel disease. All 16 patients had at least one coronary artery with hemodynamically significant lesion and successfully underwent revascularization. Three-quarter of the patients had a shockable rhythm. The etiology of SCA was in-stent thrombosis in 25% of the patients, cardiogenic shock in 19%, acute respiratory failure in 13% and unknown in 44% of the cases. The 30-day mortality rate was 38%. Conclusion The rate of SCA is high in the first 48 h after MI even with revascularization. Risk stratification for SCA during this critical period may improve outcomes.