Less frequent causes of SCD (commotio cordis): non-cardiac causes (drug abuse, hyperpyrexia, rhabdomyolysis, sickle cell anaemia)—Part 1

It is important to be aware of the clinical features of less frequent causes of SCD in Europe (e.g. commotio cordis and aortic rupture) and non-cardiac causes (e.g. drug abuse, hyperpyrexia, rhabdomyolysis, sickle cell trait, asthma, and extreme environmental conditions). Lay people and health personnel may not understand the mechanisms leading to sudden cardiac arrest and therefore not act properly. This chapter describes these conditions and their relation to sudden cardiac arrest, and provides advice for prevention and action in actual cases.