Sérgio Barra , Hospital da Luz Arrábida cardiologist, is one of the 27 specialists from all over the world integrating the Commission of “The Lancet”, which along these last three years has drafted a document on a strategy to reduce the high incidence of sudden cardiac death in the world. The plan of action was recently presented in the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology, which gathered over 30 thousand professionals from all over the globe, in Amsterdam, between the 25 th and 28 th August. The Commission was established in 2020 at the invitation of “The Lancet”, one of the major medical journals worldwide. “Despite the great advancements in cardiovascular medicine, sudden cardiac death remains a considerable medical and social challenge, claiming millions of lives every year and being responsible for more years of life lost than any cancer on its own. Only all cancers taken together have more impact than sudden cardiac death on years of life lost ”, it is stated in the document. And “although the number of deaths from sudden cardiac cause has remained stable for years, it is not acceptable that the survival rate is still inferior to 10% in most of the world”, it is further added. “To participate in this work together with a team of such value at international level was a huge privilege and a wonderful experience”, says Sérgio Barra. “Our goal is that this document will be useful not only for cardiology, but also for a wide range of specialties and subspecialties, including internal medicine, general and family medicine, medical emergency, neurology, medical genetics and others, as well as researchers and political decision-makers in the area of health”, he explains. “ The Lancet Commission to reduce the global burden of sudden cardiac death: a call for multidisciplinary action ” can be read and downloaded (free access until the 16 th October 2023). The work of the commission focused on “natural sudden death due to cardiac cause”, commonly referred as “sudden cardiac death”. The document places strong emphasis on the need to develop a multidisciplinary strategy, encompassing all aspects of prevention and treatment. It also provides a critical evaluation of the present scientific efforts in the area, and offers “important recommendations to challenge, activate and intensify the efforts of the global scientific community with new directions, research and innovation, in order to reduce the burden of sudden cardiac death all over the world”. These are, in essence, the 10 proposals or “key messages”: A multidisciplinary approach, enlargement of the international collaboration in research, and setting up emergency teams specialized in cases of sudden cardiac death. Reliable population registers of sudden cardiac death, viewing to promote research and influence political decisions on public health. Short-term preventive strategies with the goal to prevent sudden cardiac death in the minutes, hours and days preceding the event. Recourse to Artificial Intelligence, data science and the emerging technologies, to develop prediction models. Widening of genetic tests, so as to better identify people at risk and find new mechanisms of disease. A more individualized approach in the context of advanced research in resuscitation. Regional care systems, so as to guarantee the adequate screening of patients. Better accessibility to automated external defibrillators and extending of the population training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Improvement of the autopsy methods in suspicious cases. Development of effective rehabilitation programs designed for survivors and their families.
