Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCase-control study

Machine learning-based prediction of sudden cardiac death in the general population using electronic health record data

Eur J Prev CardiolPublished

  • Case-control study (machine learning prediction model development and external validation)
  • temporal external validation
  • geographical external validation

Authors' conclusion

We propose a prediction model designed to identify individuals at high risk of SCD among the general population.

Study context

Population
General population; Sudden cardiac death (SCD) cases and controls from electronic health record (EHR) data, Greater Paris and University of Washington (Seattle, USA)training 12,338 cases + 12,338 controls
Outcome
Discrimination of SCD (AUC)
Follow-up
5 years preceding SCD

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

SCD prediction (AUC)

AUC, temporal validation cohort

0.81 (95% CI 0.80-0.82)

AUC, geographical cohort

0.66 (95% CI 0.58-0.73)

SCD detected in highest decile, Paris

26%

SCD detected in highest decile, Seattle

33%

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

No CV diagnoses in 5 years preceding SCD

Subjects with no CV diagnosis
25.7%

MI prediction

Model specific to SCD; not predictive of MI

Original publication

Machine learning-based prediction of sudden cardiac death in the general population using electronic health record data. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 6 March 2026. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwag087

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it