Unexplained cardiac arrest. The need for a prospective registry.

The most widely recognized cause of sudden cardiac deaths ventricular fibrillation in the setting of ischaemic heart disease. In spite of such a wide variety of identified causes for sudden cardiac death, in a number of patients no cardiac abnormality can be found. Among those patients who are resuscitated, extensive clinicai evaluation often does not disclose any cardiac abnormality. U-CARE (Unexplained Cardiac Arrest Registry of Europe) is the European project that will provide information on the incidence of idiopathic VF and will outline the profile of its victims. As a registry, U-CARE is open to anyone willing to participate by enrolling patients.