A Study of Autopsy Findings in Cases of Sudden Cardiac Death at Kakatiya Medical College and Hospital Warangal

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The incidence of sudden cardiac death is increasing in developing countries
due to changes in lifestyle and food habits. We in the present study tried to evaluate the autopsy findings of
cases of sudden cardiac death reported to Kakatiya Medical College and MGM Hospital Warangal.
Methods: The present study was carried in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kakatiya
Medical College and MGM Hospital Warangal from January 2019 to Jan 2020. All the cases including both
sexes those who died suddenly and unexpectedly brought to the institute for post-mortem examination were
studied.
Results: In 10% of cases major blockage was noted in both right and left main coronary arteries. Left main
trunk blockage was noted in 31% of cases 5% of cases the blockage was seen in only right coronary arteries.
In 32% of cases, the blockage was severe >90%. The highest incidence of major blocks was seen in the age
group 60-70 years. The younger age group showed the tendency of blockage of the left coronary arteries.
The less commonly affected was the circumflex branch and right coronary arteries. MI was the cause of
death in 44% of cases and 5% of cases there was evidence of old and fresh infarcts.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of the current study it can be concluded that most of the cases of sudden
cardiac death in this study were from 51-70 years. The most commonly affected victims were males by a
ratio of 17:3. Autopsy plays an important role in the accurate diagnosis of sudden cardiac death. Therefore
meticulous postmortem examination and histopathological examination are needed to minimize the risk of
negative reporting