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

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is defined as an abrupt and unexpected death caused by cardiovascular disease, regardless of whether the individual has a history of heart disease. The conditions included in this classification are myocardial infarction (MI), coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial hypertrophy, myocarditis, aortic valve dysfunction, and ruptured aortic aneurysm. The objective of this study was to analyze and examine different cardiac illnesses and histopathological abnormalities of the heart that occur in SCDs, based on a 4-year autopsy experience in Jharkhand. A retrospective observational study spanning 4 years was undertaken on autopsy specimens of whole hearts submitted for histological analysis in the Department of Pathology, RIMS, from April 2020 to March 2024. We evaluated several histological alterations in the heart of all the received autopsy specimens. A wide variety of histological abnormalities has been observed, with atherosclerosis being the most prevalent. Additional pathological conditions observed were myocardial infarction (MI), hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, metastasis, myocarditis, pericarditis, and tuberculosis of the heart. Atherosclerosis is the primary etiology of SCD and predominantly affects middle-aged adult males in the Jharkhand population. Comprehending the histopathological results is crucial for identifying the cause of death, adhering to the minimum autopsy requirements for SCD, and enhancing treatment and preventive efforts to decrease SCD mortality.