Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a life-threatening event characterised by the abrupt loss of cardiac function, precipitated by malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Despite major advances in emergency cardiovascular care, survival rates remain low without immediate recognition and rapid response. As clinicians increasingly focus on community systems of care, risk-stratification and post-resuscitation management, many seek in-depth updates on Sudden Cardiac Arrest when attending emergency-care or electrophysiology tracks at a cardiology conference. Because the condition carries substantial morbidity even among survivors, this session explores mechanisms, prevention strategies and comprehensive management frameworks for individuals at risk of cardiac arrest emergencies.

The session begins by reviewing the electrophysiological basis of cardiac arrest, explaining how ischemia, structural heart disease, cardiomyopathies, congenital channelopathies and electrolyte disturbances destabilise cardiac conduction. Participants learn how risk varies across settings—acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, Brugada syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, post-cardiac surgery and drug-induced arrhythmias. Definitions of out-of-hospital vs. in-hospital arrest are clarified, along with factors affecting survival probability such as witnessed arrest, immediate CPR, shockable rhythm presence and response times.

A major component focuses on early recognition and community preparedness. Attendees examine the chain of survival, including rapid identification, early bystander CPR, public-access defibrillation programmes and emergency-medical-service activation. Strategies for improving community response—AED mapping, dispatcher-assisted CPR, school-based training and smartphone alert systems—are reviewed to highlight how population-level initiatives significantly improve outcomes, especially in shockable rhythms.

In-hospital management includes advanced life-support algorithms, high-quality chest compressions, rhythm analysis, defibrillation strategies, airway management and medication choices. The session emphasises teamwork principles, closed-loop communication and optimal rotation techniques to prevent fatigue. Clinicians review pitfalls such as pulse-check delays, hyperventilation and inappropriate shocks, as well as emerging evidence on double sequential defibrillation for refractory VF.

Post-resuscitation care is discussed with attention to hemodynamic stabilisation, targeted temperature management, coronary angiography in suspected ischemia, seizure control and ventilatory optimisation. Neurological prognostication, sedation protocols and multimodal imaging help guide long-term care planning. Special consideration is given to identifying reversible causes such as electrolyte imbalance, hypoxia, tamponade, pulmonary embolism and tension pneumothorax.

Long-term prevention includes ICD therapy, wearable defibrillators, optimisation of heart-failure treatment, risk-modifying medications and lifestyle interventions. Genetic testing is highlighted for families with inherited arrhythmia syndromes. Future directions include telemonitoring, AI-driven risk prediction, community-wide AED networks and integrative post-arrest rehabilitation.

By the end of this session, clinicians will understand how to identify at-risk individuals, respond effectively during emergencies, and provide comprehensive post-arrest care that supports survival and quality of life.