[Sudden cardiac death: the seven questions all cardiologists must answer to].

The implantable cardioverter cardiodefibrillator (ICD), has changed the view related to prevention and treatment of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). However, some issues are still matter of discussion. Answers for the main questions are briefly exposed. 1. According to worldwide statistics, the manual incidence of SCA varies between 750 and 100 people per million inhabitants. 2. Nearly 25% of SCA are related to individuals with severe heart disease and low ejection fraction, but the remaining 75% there are scare or no antecedents at all, plus normal left ventricular function. 3. In subjects with history of severe heart disease, the risk of SCA prevention and cannot replace the ICD indication. 5. Except in particular cases, EP testing is not the right tool for risk stratification of SCA. 6. In the population with minor or without antecedents of heart disease, family history of SCA below 40 years old, or some features in the ECG (delta wave, long QT interval, etc), would be the unique sign of risk for developing SCA. 7. Although inappropriate shocks and eventually myocardial injury due to shock therapy may occur, the ICD still is the best therapy for prevention and treatment of SCA.