ABSTRACT
The main objective of this chapter is to give an overview of contemporary issues related to the role of psychologic factors in the precipitation of sudden cardiac death. Accordingly, we will discuss the scope of the problem, the clinical evidence implicating psychologic factors, and the insights derived from animal studies of psychophysiologic factors in sudden cardiac death. It should be stated at the onset that this review is not intended to cover the entire waterfront of this rapidly growing discipline. Rather, we will attempt to be selective and highlight current investigations which, in our opinion, will set the trajectory for future research.
