Incidence and Determinants of Post Myocardial Infarction Sudden Cardiac Death in South India
Dates
Start Date: 02/02/2009
End Date: 01/31/2011
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in India. Mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD) alone is expected to rise from 1.59 million/year currently to 2.58 million/year by 20203. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a common initial manifestation of CAD particularly among patients who survive a myocardial infarction (MI). Despite the growing epidemic, the incidence and the risk factors associated with SCD in the post MI cohort in India are largely unknown. Further, the influences of regional differences in diet and lifestyle on SCD risk have not been explored. The overall objective of this proposal is to determine the incidence and risk factors (demographic, dietary and cardiovascular) associated with SCD in post MI cohort. We propose a prospective longitudinal study of 1000 post MI patients at three large teaching institutions in South India to 1. Describe the overall and regional incidence of SCD, and 2. Explore the associations of smoking, dietary fish intake and SCD risk during follow-up. Each of the enrolling centers has a track record of population-based research involving a multidisciplinary team of community health physicians, epidemiologists, clinical investigators and statisticians. The results of this study will guide the development of population based, cost effective preventive strategies to prevent SCD in this high-risk cohort. In addition this proposal fosters collaboration between the School of Medicine, Public Health and three large academic centers in South India. The infrastructure provided by this study will promote data sharing between the institutions and provide a platform for future longitudinal studies addressing critical questions related to overall cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality in South India.