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Evaluation of histopathological findings of cardiac deaths in forensic autopsies
Taner Daş1, Aytül Buğra2, Abdul Kerim Buğra3
1Morgue Department, Histopathology Unit, The Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. tanerdas@hotmail.com.
Insights
Sudden cardiac deaths are often due to coronary artery disease (CAD), which is more prevalent in men and occurs at older ages. This study analyzed autopsy data to confirm these epidemiological differences.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Forensic Pathology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary artery diseases, are the leading cause of sudden and unexpected natural deaths.
- Understanding the epidemiological differences and common pathologies is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate epidemiological differences in cardiac death causes between men and women.
- To identify the most common pathological findings in fatal cardiac events.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 5,768 autopsy cases from 2016.
- Focus on 832 cases with detailed autopsy and histopathological findings due to cardiac causes.
- Analysis of demographic and pathological data.
Main Results:
- Coronary artery disease was the predominant cause, found in 760 of 832 cases.
- Myocardial infarction (acute or previous) was present in 71.5% of cases.
- Coronary artery disease was significantly more common in men (86.1%) than women (13.9%) and occurred at a higher mean age.
Conclusions:
- Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of cardiac death, predominantly affecting men and occurring at older ages.
- Non-coronary artery disease cardiac deaths tend to occur at a younger age.
- Findings confirm higher mortality rates from coronary artery disease in men.
Background:
The vast majority of sudden and unexpected natural deaths are related to cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery diseases.
Aims:
In this study, we aimed to reveal the epidemiological differences between men and women and to investigate the most common pathologies that cause cardiac deaths.
Methods:
Five thousand seven hundred sixty-eight autopsy cases that were done in 2016 were reviewed for the autopsy information and histopathological findings. Of the 5768 autopsies performed, 866 were due to cardiac causes. Eight hundred thirty-two cases were reviewed due to lack of autopsy information in 34 cases.
Results:
One hundred sixteen (13.9%) were female, and 716 (86.1%) were male. Coronary artery disease was detected in 760 of 832 cases. There were findings of acute or previous myocardial infarction in 595 (71.5%), perivascular and interstitial fibrosis in 159 (19.1%), myocardial rupture and tamponade in 31 (%3.7), valvular disease in 6 (0.7%), cardiomyopathy in 4 (0.5%), and congenital heart disease in 3 (0.4%). In the study, it was observed that the mean age of death due to cardiac pathology other than coronary artery disease was significantly lower than deaths due to coronary artery disease (p < 0.05). The presence of coronary artery disease in men was found to be significantly higher than in women (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
In our study, it was found that deaths due to coronary artery disease are seen at an older age than cardiac deaths other than coronary artery disease. In addition, in line with current knowledge, it has been confirmed that the mortality rate of coronary artery disease is higher in men than in women.
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