RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Sudden cardiac death after acute ST elevation myocardial infarction: insight from a developing country JF Heart Asia JO Heart Asia FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, British Cardiovascular Society and Asia Pacific Heart Association SP 83 OP 89 DO 10.1136/heartasia-2012-010114 VO 4 IS 1 A1 Hygriv B Rao A1 B K S Sastry A1 Radhika Korabathina A1 Krishnam P Raju YR 2012 UL http://heartasia.bmj.com/content/4/1/83.abstract AB Background There is no data concerning sudden cardiac death (SCD) following acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in India. We assessed the incidence and factors influencing SCD following STEMI.Methods Patients with STEMI admitted in our hospital from 2006 to 2009 were prospectively entered into a database. In the period 2010–2011, patients or their kin were periodically contacted and administered a questionnaire to ascertain their survival, and mode of death if applicable.Results Study population comprised of 929 patients with STEMI (mean age 55±17 years) having a mean follow-up of 41±16 months. The total number of deaths was 159, of which 78 were SCD (mean age 62.2±10 years). The cumulative incidence of total deaths and SCD at 1 month, 1, 2, 3 years and at conclusion of the study was 10.1%, 13.2%, 14.6%, 15.8%, 17.3% and 4.9%, 6.5%, 8.0%, 8.9% and 9.7%, respectively. The temporal distribution of SCD was 53.9% at first month, 19.2% at 1 month to 1 year, 15.4% in 1–2 years, 7.6% in 2–3 years and 3.8% beyond 3 years. Comparison between SCD and survivor cohorts by multivariate analysis showed five variables were found to be associated with SCD (age p=0.0163, female gender p=0.0042, severe LV dysfunction p=0.0292, absence of both reperfusion and revascularisation p=0.0373 and lack of compliance with medications p <0.0001).Conclusions SCD following STEMI accounts for about half of the total deaths. It involves younger population and most of these occur within the first month. This data has relevance in prioritising healthcare strategies in India.