AUTOPSY FINDINGS IN CASES OF YOUTH SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATHS

Sari H, Koc S, Albek E, Asirdizer M, Cetin G.

2nd Congress of Forensic Science, Uludag University Medical School, Bursa-1996, Summary Book of Congress.

ABSTRACT

In 1986 of 15184 autopsies performed m the Mortuary Section of the Council of Forensic Medicine in the years 1983-1992 death was attributed to cardiovascular disease in 323 cases (17, 12 %) The victims were at or below 35 years of age. Only 16 individuals (4,95 %) were younger than 16 years of age 287 subjects (88,85 %) were males and 36 (l 1,15 %) females.

In addition to numerous macroscopic findings observed in these 323 cases, the following microscopic alterations were detected on Hematoxylin - Eosin- staining performed in 246 cases, hypertrophy m 130 (52,84 %), scars in 53 (21,54 %), interstitial fibrosis m 15 (6,09 %), myocarditis in 10 (4,06 %) and fresh myocardial infarction in 5 (2,03 %), pericarditis in 5 (2,03 %) cases as well as other findings in 53 cases (21 54 %) pathologic alterations were present on macroscopic examination, microscopic diagnosis, however, was not possible due to autolytic changes and putrefaction.

In our study, nearly all childhood cases of death were attributed to congenital heart disease or valvular defects in young individuals the lethal outcome was precipitated by strenuous efforts, where as in the age group of 30 to 35 years, sudden cardiac death was mainly due to coronary disease. These results support other studies on this subject.

Further important details of these cases with medico-legal relevance are also presented.

Key words: Sudden cardiac death, medico-legal autopsy.