Practical recommendations for the sudden cardiac death prevention among vehicle drivers

To reduce the population mortality in the settings of increasing traffic intensity, it is necessary to strengthen security measures in public transport. Objective. To review cases of sudden cardiac death in locomotive crew members of the Trans-Baikal Railway during a 6-year observation and to develop practical guidelines for the prevention of fatal cardiovascular events in drivers. Materials and methods. During 2008—2013, 7959 initially healthy locomotive crew employees of the Trans-Baikal Railway aged 18—66 years were assessed using 22 clinical and medical history items. Data on cardiovascular outcomes were collected. The results of the observation were used to study cases of sudden cardiac death using statistical methods and to create a pathogenetic model, the cardiorenal continuum. Results. Using the synthesis method, a universal model was created, which explains the origin of sudden cardiac deaths in all population groups of any age and shows that all those who died from this condition go through a similar preclinical path in a series of events within the cardiorenal continuum. The results of the study involving locomotive crew employees of the Trans-Baikal Railway are consistent with other publications, but are not used in practical health care. Conclusion. The results of the study are the basis of practical guidelines for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in drivers.