This book draws on the established European guidelines from the ESC that address the key issues in sudden cardiac death, such as identifying individuals at risk prior to an episode of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia or a sudden cardiac arrest, and responding in a timely fashion to the person suffering the event out-of-the-hospital. It presents an update on what is known about sudden cardiac arrest, from basic experimental studies to clinical trials, and serves as a complement to the ESC Core Syllabus on this subject. Topics include epidemiology, genetics, arrhythmogenic mechanisms, risk stratification, autonomic nervous system and phenotypes. Disease states and special populations are also covered, as well as drug, device and ablation treatments, and cost effectiveness. All chapters are co-authored by experts from both Europe and the US.The ESC Education Series This book is part of the ESC Education Series. The series is designed to provide medical professionals with the latest information about the understanding, diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. Where available, management recommendations are based on the established European Guidelines, which encompass the best techniques to use with each cardiac disease. Throughout the series, the leading international opinion leaders have been chosen to edit and contribute to the books. The information is presented in a succinct and accessible format with a clinical focus.