Sudden Death in a Middle-Aged Gentleman

Authors: Selvaraja GR*, Azhar H, Zulfikry M, Subramaniam K and Ibrahim NB

DOI: 10.23880/ijfsc-16000179

Volume 5, Issue 1

Abstract

A sudden unexpected death in a healthy individual often leads to panic within a community and it’s frequently associated with malicious mischief. Suicide, infections, genetic or congenital abnormalities may well lead to sudden deaths. All these possibilities are vital in determining the cause of death and facilitate investigation, hence must be considered judiciously. Here, we report a case of a 49-year-old gentleman without underlying medical illness or prior history of heart disease found dead in his home by his wife. Postmortem and histopathology findings determined the cause of death. External examination revealed no obvious injuries whereas 50% narrowing was disclosed in the left anterior descending artery at internal examination. Histology finding showed fibro-fatty replacement of the right ventricle myocardium. Toxicological analyses were unrewarding. It was concluded that the cause of death was arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. In conclusion, the findings of the forensic autopsy and histopathology facilitated the investigation and established the cause of death. The cause of death attributed to arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). This case demonstrates ARVD can have a late presentation and it should always be borne in mind as a potential cause of death, necessitating this case report.

Keywords: Sudden Death; Cardiomyopathy; Right Ventricular Disease; Autopsy

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