1
|
Lynge TH, Albert CM, Basso C, Garcia R, Krahn AD, Semsarian C, Sheppard MN, Behr ER, Tfelt-Hansen J. Autopsy of all young sudden death cases is important to increase survival in family members left behind. Europace 2024; 26:euae128. [PMID: 38715537 PMCID: PMC11164113 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an important public health problem worldwide, accounting for an estimated 6-20% of total mortality. A significant proportion of SCD is caused by inherited heart disease, especially among the young. An autopsy is crucial to establish a diagnosis of inherited heart disease, allowing for subsequent identification of family members who require cardiac evaluation. Autopsy of cases of unexplained sudden death in the young is recommended by both the European Society of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. Overall autopsy rates, however, have been declining in many countries across the globe, and there is a lack of skilled trained pathologists able to carry out full autopsies. Recent studies show that not all cases of sudden death in the young are autopsied, likely due to financial, administrative, and organizational limitations as well as awareness among police, legal authorities, and physicians. Consequently, diagnoses of inherited heart disease are likely missed, along with the opportunity for treatment and prevention among surviving relatives. This article reviews the evidence for the role of autopsy in sudden death, how the cardiologist should interpret the autopsy-record, and how this can be integrated and implemented in clinical practice. Finally, we identify areas for future research along with potential for healthcare reform aimed at increasing autopsy awareness and ultimately reducing mortality from SCD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Lynge
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christine M Albert
- Department of Cardiology, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cristina Basso
- The Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Aristide Gabelli, 61, 35121 Padova PD, Italy
| | - Rodrigue Garcia
- Department of Cardiology, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
| | - Andrew D Krahn
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, Heart Rhythm Services, Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher Semsarian
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mary N Sheppard
- Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Cardiovascular and Genetics Research Institute, St George’s, University of London, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Elijah R Behr
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Cardiovascular and Genetics Research Institute, St George’s University of London and St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hansen CJ, Svane J, Palsøe MK, Isbister JC, Paratz E, Molina P, Morentin B, Winkel BG, La Gerche A, Linnet K, Banner J, Lucena J, Semsarian C, Tfelt-Hansen J. Toxicology Screening in Sports-Related Sudden Cardiac Death: A Multinational Observational Study. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023:S2405-500X(23)00833-2. [PMID: 38127009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of toxicological findings among sports-related sudden cardiac death (SrSCD) is scarce. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to describe postmortem toxicology findings in a multinational cohort of young SrSCD. METHODS Patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD) aged 12 to 49 years with a complete post mortem were included from Denmark, Spain, and Australia. Postmortem findings were compared between SrSCD and non-SrSCD, and toxicology findings in SrSCD were assessed. RESULTS We included 3,189 SCD, of which 219 (7%) were sports-related. SrSCD patients were younger (36 years vs 41 years; P < 0.001) and of male predominance (96% vs 75%; P < 0.001), and their death was more often caused by structural cardiac disease (68% vs 61%; P = 0.038). Positive toxicology screenings were significantly less likely among SrSCD than non-SrSCD (12% vs 43%; P < 0.001), corresponding to 82% lower odds of a positive toxicology screening in SrSCD. Patient characteristics were similar between SrSCDs with positive and negative toxicology screenings, but deaths were more often unexplained (59% vs 34%). Nonopioid analgesics were the most common finding (3%), and SCD-associated drugs were detected in 6% of SrSCD. SUD was more prevalent among the SrSCD with positive toxicology (59% vs 34%). CONCLUSIONS Sports-related SCD mainly occurred in younger men with structural heart disease. They had a significantly lower prevalence of a positive toxicology screening compared with non-SrSCD, and detection of SCD-associated drugs was rare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl J Hansen
- The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jesper Svane
- The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie K Palsøe
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julia C Isbister
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Pilar Molina
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Valencia, Spain
| | - Benito Morentin
- Basque Institute of Legal Medicine, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Bo G Winkel
- The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Kristian Linnet
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jytte Banner
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joaquin Lucena
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Seville, Spain
| | - Christopher Semsarian
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hansen CJ, Svane J, Lynge TH, Stampe NK, Bhardwaj P, Torp-Pedersen C, Banner J, Tfelt-Hansen J, Winkel BG. Differences among young unwitnessed sudden cardiac death, according to time from last seen alive: Insights from a 15-year nationwide study. Heart Rhythm 2023; 20:1504-1509. [PMID: 37453604 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of all sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) are unwitnessed, but the composition of the unwitnessed SCD population is poorly described. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and autopsy characteristics of young unwitnessed SCD subjects, based on the time from last contact to being found dead. METHODS All unwitnessed SCD subjects aged 1-35 years in Denmark from 2000-2014 identified through a multisource approach were included. Time from last seen alive to being found dead was dichotomized to <1 hour or 1-24 hours. Clinical characteristics and autopsy results were compared, and predictors of autopsy were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS Of 440 unwitnessed SCD subjects, 366 (83%) had not been seen alive within 1 hour of being found dead. Comorbidities differed between the groups, with more epilepsy (17% vs 5%) and psychiatric diseases (13% vs 7%) in the 24-hour group. Patients in the 24-hour group died more frequently during sleep (64% vs 23%), the autopsy rate was higher (75% vs 61%), and deaths were more often unexplained after autopsy (69% vs 53%). Having been seen within 1 hour of death independently decreased the chance of being autopsied (odds ratio 0.51; 95% confidence interval 0.27-1.00; P = .0497). CONCLUSION The majority of unwitnessed SCD subjects had not been seen alive within 1 hour of being found dead. Clinical- and autopsy-related characteristics differed between the 2 groups. Differences were mainly attributable to death-related circumstances and comorbidities. Excluding SCD cases not seen alive within 1 hour of being found dead would severely underestimate the burden of SCD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl Johann Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jesper Svane
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Hadberg Lynge
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Kjær Stampe
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Priya Bhardwaj
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Torp-Pedersen
- Department of Cardiology, Nordsjællands Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jytte Banner
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bo Gregers Winkel
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Iddrisu M, Doat AR, Abdulai AM, Wuni A. They patronize herbal medicine, coincidence or planned behaviour: A case of hypertensive patients in Tamale? Nurs Open 2023. [PMID: 37060167 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM This study assessed, if use of herbal medicine (HM) among hypertensive patients is coincidence or planned. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS The study used a cross-sectional survey for collection of data from four (4) herbal medicine clinics in the Tamale metropolis in northern Ghana. RESULTS The final or overall regression model was significant at R2 = 0.350, F(7, 214) = 16.464, p < 0.001. No sociodemographic characteristic predicted herbal medicine use. Only religion and educational level were associated with herbal medicine use. Attitude (p = 0.002), subjective norms (p = 0.001) and behavioural intention (p = 0.000) significantly predicted HM use. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION Data were collected from respondents only after they had verbally given free and informed consent to take part in the study. The results of this study therefore showed that herbal medicine use among these patients is not coincidence but planned. Health professionals by this study should appreciate the effect of religion and educational background in their health education on Herbal Medicines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdul Razak Doat
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, CK Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Navrongo, Ghana
| | | | - Abubakari Wuni
- Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of medicine for the elderly, Cambridge University Hospital's NHS Foundation, Adddenrookes Hospital, Cambridge United Kingdom, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Girolami F, Spinelli V, Maurizi N, Focardi M, Nesi G, Maio V, Grifoni R, Albora G, Bertaccini B, Targetti M, Coppini R, Favilli S, Olivotto I, Cerbai E. Genetic characterization of juvenile sudden cardiac arrest and death in Tuscany: The ToRSADE registry. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1080608. [PMID: 36588553 PMCID: PMC9795053 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1080608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young people represents a dramatic event, often leading to severe neurologic outcomes or sudden cardiac death (SCD), and is frequently caused by genetic heart diseases. In this study, we report the results of the Tuscany registry of sudden cardiac death (ToRSADE) registry, aimed at monitoring the incidence and investigating the genetic basis of SCA and SCD occurring in subjects < 50 years of age in Tuscany, Italy. Methods and results Creation of the ToRSADE registry allowed implementation of a repository for clinical, molecular and genetic data. For 22 patients, in whom a genetic substrate was documented or suspected, blood samples could be analyzed; 14 were collected at autopsy and 8 from resuscitated patients after SCA. Next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis revealed likely pathogenetic (LP) variants associated with cardiomyopathy (CM) or channelopathy in four patients (19%), while 17 (81%) carried variants of uncertain significance in relevant genes (VUS). In only one patient NGS confirmed the diagnosis obtained during autopsy: the p.(Asn480Lysfs*20) PKP2 mutation in a patient with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC). Conclusion Systematic genetic screening allowed identification of LP variants in 19% of consecutive patients with SCA/SCD, including subjects carrying variants associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or AC who had SCA/SCD in the absence of structural cardiomyopathy phenotype. Genetic analysis combined with clinical information in survived patients and post-mortem evaluation represent an essential multi-disciplinary approach to manage juvenile SCD and SCA, key to providing appropriate medical and genetic assistance to families, and advancing knowledge on the basis of arrhythmogenic mechanisms in inherited cardiomyopathies and channelopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Girolami
- Cardiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence, Italy,*Correspondence: Francesca Girolami,
| | - Valentina Spinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Martina Focardi
- Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy,Forensic Medical Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella Nesi
- Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy,Division of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Vincenza Maio
- Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy,Division of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rossella Grifoni
- Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy,Forensic Medical Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Bruno Bertaccini
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele Coppini
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Favilli
- Cardiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Iacopo Olivotto
- Cardiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence, Italy,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cerbai
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tan HL, van Dongen LH, Smits RLA, van Valkengoed IGM. Can we better understand sudden cardiac death by including data from unwitnessed victims? Europace 2021; 23:819-820. [PMID: 33864075 PMCID: PMC8184222 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hanno L Tan
- Amsterdam UMC-Location AMC, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura H van Dongen
- Amsterdam UMC-Location AMC, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robin L A Smits
- Amsterdam UMC-Location AMC, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Section Ethnicity, Gender and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irene G M van Valkengoed
- Amsterdam UMC-Location AMC, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Section Ethnicity, Gender and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|