Sudden cardiac death and coronary disease in the young: A nationwide cohort study in Denmark
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death caused by coronary artery disease (CAD-SCD) is the most frequent cause of SCD in persons <50years. The aim of this study was to examine differences in clinical characteristics and autopsy findings of the heart among 18-35 and 36-49year old CAD-SCD cases.
METHODS: We have previously identified all sudden cardiac deaths in Denmark through review of death certificates and autopsy reports including all deaths between 2000 and 2006 in individuals aged 18-35years and all deaths between 2007 and 2009 in individuals aged 18-49years. In this study we included the 197 autopsied CAD-SCD cases. Full autopsy report and medical records from general practitioners and hospitals were obtained.
RESULTS: There was a male predominance (n=151, 76%) and the median age was 42years. In witnessed cases, 51% had a shockable rhythm and 9 cases returned to spontaneous circulation briefly, CAD-SCD victims aged 36-49years had more severe atherosclerosis in all coronary arteries, more multi-vessel disease (29% vs. 15%, p=0.049) and less commonly (38% vs. 54%, p=0.039) acute coronary occlusion than victims <36years. Sixty-eight percent(n=133) of CAD-SCD victims had cardiac symptoms prior to death.
CONCLUSION: This nationwide study found several differences in the pathologic lesions of the heart in victims aged 18-35 and 36-49years, which might be associated with different disease progression leading to death in these age groups. We also report a high frequency of cardiac symptoms prior to death in young CAD-SCD cases, which may enable clinicians to prevent these tragic deaths.
Original language | English |
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Journal | International Journal of Cardiology |
Volume | 236 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 16-22 |
ISSN | 0167-5273 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
- Journal Article
Research areas
ID: 173707468