[en] This work investigates the local transient phenomena occurring in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) operated with a dead-ended anode. The dead-end mode consists in closing the anode outlet, which leads eventually to local hydrogen starvation due to the excessive accumulation of liquid water and nitrogen (because of membrane crossover) in the anode compartment. Such fuel-starvation events may remain undetected but can entail a significant rise of the anode (and thus cathode) potentials and accelerate carbon corrosion and catalyst degradation. To access local information, we developed an innovative segmented linear cell with reference electrodes along the gas channels. By simultaneously monitoring the local potentials and current densities during operation, we assessed the impact of fuel starvation and observed strong local cathode potential excursions close to the anode outlet. Aging protocols based on fuel cell operation with a dead-ended anode (longer than in real use condition) showed non-uniform cathode Electrochemical Surface Area (ECSA) losses and performance degradation along the cell area: the damage was more severe in the regions suffering the longest from fuel starvation. Parametric studies completed by numerical simulations showed that the fuel starvation is mainly governed by liquid water accumulation in the anode channels, as well as nitrogen crossover through the membrane. As a consequence, water management impacts significantly the cathode potential variations and thus the resulting electrode degradation. Starting from this founding, we propose strategies to improve fuel cell lifetime. (author)