April 28, 2026Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Postmortem molecular screening in unexplained sudden death
Key result
Postmortem genetic screening identifies a HERG mutation in ~17% of adults with unexplained SCD.
- n=12
Why the study?
Patients with unexplained sudden death may constitute up to 5% of overall SCD cases, and systematic postmortem genetic analysis using candidate genes may identify etiologies.
Population
12 adult subjects with unexplained sudden death from a 270-patient autopsy series of SCD
Comparison
Postmortem screening of 5 arrhythmia-related candidate genes
Design
Retrospective autopsy series genetic analysis
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Low-yield candidate-gene testing in unexplained SCD; leaves open the clinical utility of broader postmortem genetic screening pending larger studies.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=12)
PICO
P
Population
Unexplained sudden cardiac death (n=12)
I
Intervention / Comparator
Postmortem genetic analysis of candidate genes
O
Primary Outcome
Prevalence of defects in arrhythmia-related candidate genes
Cite This Study
Chugh et al. (2004) conducted an observational in Unexplained sudden cardiac death (n=12). Postmortem genetic analysis of candidate genes was evaluated on Prevalence of defects in arrhythmia-related candidate genes. Postmortem genetic screening of five candidate genes in 12 adults with unexplained sudden cardiac death identified a HERG mutation in 2 patients (16.7%).