Pattern of mortality in sudden death: an autopsy study

Background: Sudden death has plagued mankind from time Immemorial. Clinical presentations include wide spectrum from symptom complex to completely asymptomatic. Sudden cardiac death in many cases, ‘first and only symptom. The high incidence, sudden, unexpected nature, combining with the low successful rate of resuscitation, make sudden cardiac deaths a major unsolved problem. Therefore, this study was conducted to illustrate etiolopathology, risk factors and triggers of sudden death with the expectation to provide new insight in epidemiological aspects of sudden death, which will help in care of patients, and prevention of premature cardiac deaths.Methods: A study of 50 cases of sudden death was conducted at tertiary care hospital. After evaluating detailed history from the family members, autopsy has been performed to find out cause of sudden death.Results: Principal culprit of sudden death is cardiovascular disease. Highest numbers of sudden death are in middle age group and having male preponderance might be due to presence of multiple risk factors, which have added or multiplicative effect. There are few autopsy negative cases, which are unexplained sudden death.Conclusions: Sudden and unexpected deaths in young population frequently become the subject of pathologic investigation to determine the cause of death.