Registry of Sudden Cardiac Death and Assessment of Response Capacity at San Francisco General Hospital, Honduras

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death is defined as natural and unexpected death of cardiac origin occurring within the first hour after symptom onset. The incidence of this phenomenon in the Honduran population is unknown. Objectives: To determine the percentage of natural sudden deaths based on clinical records and assess the response capacity of the healthcare network at San Francisco General Hospital, Juticalpa, Olancho, during the period from August 2015 to August 2016. Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective epidemiological study was conducted. The study population included individuals over 18 years old who died within the hospital's area of influence. With institutional authorization, mortality records and clinical files corresponding to the period from November 2015 to November 2016 were analyzed. Results: A total of 156 deaths were recorded, of which 153 were natural. Twenty-five cases (16.2%) were classified as sudden cardiac death syndrome, predominantly affecting men (64%, n=16) with a mean age of 71 years. Acute myocardial infarction was identified as the primary cause in 96% of cases (n=24). The hospital is equipped with adequate resources for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and specialist physicians are trained and certified to perform it. Conclusion: The incidence of sudden cardiac death in the studied population was 16.2%, with a higher prevalence in older men. San Francisco General Hospital has the technological resources to address natural sudden death, although response capacity is limited to specialized medical personnel.