Causes and mechanisms thumb|221x221px|Conduction of the heart. Changes in this pattern can result from injury to the cardiac muscle and lead to non-conducted beats and ultimately cardiac arrest. thumb|EKG depiction of ventricular fibrillation (no organized rhythm) The underlying causes of sudden cardiac arrest can result from cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies. The most common underlying causes are different, depending on the patient's age. Common cardiac causes include coronary artery disease, non-atherosclerotic coronary artery abnormalities, structural heart damage, and inherited arrhythmias. Common non-cardiac causes include respiratory arrest, diabetes, medications, and trauma.
Causes and mechanisms thumb|221x221px|Conduction of the heart. Changes in this pattern can result from injury to the cardiac muscle and lead to non-conducted beats and ultimately cardiac arrest. thumb|EKG depiction of ventricular fibrillation (no organized rhythm) The underlying causes of sudden cardiac arrest can result from cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies. The most common underlying causes are different, depending on the patient's age. Common cardiac causes include coronary artery disease non-atherosclerotic coronary artery abnormalities, structural heart damage and inherited arrhythmias. Common non-cardiac causes include respiratory arrest, diabetes medications, and trauma.