Sudden death in young Aboriginal adults with rheumatic heart disease

A retrospective review for the period 1983 to 1988 was made of all sudden deaths in young Aboriginal adults from the Darwin and East Arnhem regions who had known rheumatic heart disease. A total of five cases was identified from autopsy reports. The age range was between 16 and 35 years. All were being treated for asymptomatic heart disease (grade I). The sudden, unexpected death in each of these patients resulted in their deaths all being reported to the coroner. In all cases there was no evidence at autopsy of significant coronary artery disease or bacterial endocarditis. All had evidence of rheumatic valvular heart disease affecting either one or both mitral and aortic valves to varying degrees. No other cause of death was found. This report serves to illustrate the fact that rheumatic heart disease is still a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in Aborigines, and that while the usual picture of progressive deterioration in exercise tolerance may be the norm, sudden death without any apparent preceding symptomatology can occur.