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Challenges in Determining the Cause of Death in Cardiac-related Sudden Death: A Case Report

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an unexpected natural death due to cardiac causes occurring within a short time, usually within one hour of symptom onset. Determining the exact cause of death in such cases may be challenging, particularly when deaths occur outside hospital settings and clinical history is limited. Autopsy examination plays a crucial role in identifying the underlying pathology and establishing the cause of death. This case report describes a 35-year-old male who allegedly collapsed at home and was brought dead to a tertiary care hospital. The deceased had no known history of hypertension, diabetes, or smoking but had a positive family history of ischemic heart disease. Medico-legal autopsy revealed a markedly enlarged heart weighing approximately 710 g with significant atherosclerotic narrowing of multiple coronary arteries, including 75% narrowing of the left anterior descending artery and posterior descending artery. Histopathological examination demonstrated necrotic myocardial fibers with inflammatory infiltrates and granulation tissue suggestive of myocardial infarction approximately 7–10 days old. This case highlights the importance of meticulous autopsy and histopathological examination in establishing the cause of SCD.

Source: Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine

DOI: 10.1177/09710973261477208

Authors: Dhivagar K, Perumal P, Vidya M, Manoranjan B, Vinay Bannur

Institutions: Government of Tamil Nadu, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research

Language: English

Topic: Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W7204159528