Molecular autopsy is essential for diagnosing genetic causes of sudden cardiac death in under-35s, aiding in genetic counseling and preventive strategies for families.
Molecular autopsy plays a critical role in identifying genetic causes of sudden unexplained death in young individuals, enabling targeted screening and prevention in surviving family members.
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Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is defined as unexpected death due to a cardiac cause that occurs rapidly. Despite the identification of prevention strategies, SCD remains a serious public health problem worldwide, accounting for 15–20% of all deaths, and is therefore a challenge for modern medicine, especially when it affects young people. Sudden cardiac death in young people affects the population aged ≤ 35 years, including athletes and non-athletes, and it is due to various hereditary and non-hereditary causes. After an autopsy, if the cause remains unknown, it is called sudden unexplained death, often attributable to genetic causes. In these cases, molecular autopsy—post-mortem genetic testing—is essential to facilitate diagnostic and therapeutic pathways and/or the monitoring of family members of the cases. This review aims to elaborate on cardiac disorders marked by genetic mutations, necessitating the post-mortem genetic investigation of the deceased for an accurate diagnosis in order to facilitate informed genetic counseling and to implement preventive strategies for family members of the cases.
Salzillo et al. (Wed,) reported a other. Molecular autopsy is essential for diagnosing genetic causes of sudden cardiac death in under-35s, aiding in genetic counseling and preventive strategies for families.