The heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating resulting in death within a short time period (generally within 1 h of symptom onset).

An abrupt loss of heart function.

Syncope is a syndrome in which loss of consciousness is of relatively sudden onset, temporary (usually less than 1 to 2 minutes), self-terminating, and of usually rapid recovery. Syncope leads to a generalized weakness of muscles with loss of postural tone, inability to stand upright, and loss of consciousness. Once the patient is in a horizontal position, blood flow to the brain is no longer hindered by gravitation and consciousness is regained. Unconsciousness usually lasts for seconds to minutes. Headache and drowsiness (which usually follow seizures) do not follow a syncopal attack. Syncope results from a sudden impairment of brain metabolism usually due to a reduction in cerebral blood flow.

A type of ventricular tachycardia characterized by polymorphioc QRS complexes that change in amplitue and cycle length, and thus have the appearance of oscillating around the baseline in the EKG.

Uncontrolled contractions of muscles fibers in the left ventricle not producing contraction of the left ventricle. Ventricular fibrillation usually begins with a ventricular premature contraction and a short run of rapid ventricular tachycardia degenerating into uncoordinating ventricular fibrillations.

Increased time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave as measured by the electrocardiogram (EKG).

A longer than normal interval (corrected for heart rate) between the Q and T waves in the heart's cycle. Prolonged QTc can cause premature action potentials during late phase depolarizations thereby leading to ventricular arrhythmias and ventricular fibrillations.