Sudden cardiac death and its histopathological findings in autopsy cases in Jharkhand

Aditi Priya1, Smita K Gupta1, Chanchal Ashok1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

Insights

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, particularly in middle-aged men in Jharkhand. Understanding these heart conditions is vital for accurate death investigation and prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Forensic Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an abrupt, unexpected death from cardiovascular disease.
  • It encompasses conditions like myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Identifying underlying cardiac pathologies is crucial for understanding SCD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze cardiac illnesses and histopathological abnormalities in SCD cases.
  • To examine autopsy findings over a 4-year period in Jharkhand.
  • To determine the primary causes of SCD in the studied population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study.
  • Analysis of whole heart autopsy specimens from April 2020 to March 2024.
  • Histological examination of cardiac tissues.

Main Results:

  • Atherosclerosis was the most prevalent histological abnormality.
  • Other observed conditions included myocardial infarction (MI), hypertrophy, and myocarditis.
  • The findings highlight diverse cardiac pathologies contributing to SCD.

Conclusions:

  • Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of SCD in middle-aged adult males in Jharkhand.
  • Histopathological analysis is essential for SCD diagnosis and prevention.
  • These findings can inform public health interventions to reduce SCD mortality.
Abstract

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