The 2024 think tank on prevention of sudden cardiac death in the young: Pathway to survival. A report from the cardiac safety research consortium

Abstract

Sudden cardiac arrest and death in the young is a critical public health issue. It occurs in children of any age, sex, racial or ethnic demographic, or socioeconomic status. Importantly, it can affect any individual—athlete and nonathlete alike. Prevention of sudden death in the young is of high importance not only because of the loss of a young life but also because of the substantial impact to families and to society at large. This White Paper summarizes the proceedings of a third national Think Tank on prevention of sudden cardiac death in the young. The Think Tank, which convened on January 11 to 12, 2024 at Duke University in Durham, NC, was organized and conducted by the Cardiac Safety Research Consortium in collaboration with a broad panel of US and international stakeholders including representatives from the United States Food and Drug Administration, medicine, academia, industry, the military, parents and sudden cardiac arrest/death prevention advocates, and the public. Primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death in youth were discussed in depth with a goal of developing consensus on uniform approaches which could be applied nationally.