A Forensic Approach to Sudden Cardiac Death
[1]
Fatos Sinani, Institute of Legal Medicine, Rr. Dibres 371, Tirana, Albania.
[2]
Bledar Xhemali, Institute of Legal Medicine, Rr. Dibres 371, Tirana, Albania.
[3]
Gentian Vyshka, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
[4]
Ledita Sinani, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
[5]
Bardhyl Çipi, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
We present data from a two-year period of study in our forensic facility (2012-2013), with a total of 73 cases of sudden cardiac death, whose majority (67 cases) were males. A brief discussion upon risk factors, medical, genetic and physiological, that might lead to sudden cardiac death is made. Our data showed that males predominate in this precise fatal outcome of cardiac nature. A certain age profile shows as well an increased risk for adverse outcome, with patients aging 55-59 years old being at a higher risk. Colder months of the year are denoted as being at an increased risk as well for sudden cardiac death. The weight of the heart and the degree of atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries are two other parameters that need to be taken into account, given their obvious adverse influence upon the lethal event. A summary of the medical diagnoses as found in the medical files of our study group is part of the results of the study as well. Given the major importance of sudden cardiac death from the medical, social and forensic point of view, the detection of risk factors and/or patients at increased risk is a highly imperative step toward implementing preventive, pharmacological and non-pharmacological corrective measures.
Sudden Cardiac Death, Atherosclerosis, Coronary Artery Disease, Final Outcome, Age Profile
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