What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Sudden death (n=62). Primary outcome: Cardiovascular system involvement (95% CI 49.16-73.42, p=<0.001).

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the proportion of organ systems involved in sudden deaths and identify primary causes.

May 4, 2026Open Access

Proportion of Organ System Involved in Sudden Death: A Histopathological Autopsy Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bhavnagar

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

The cardiovascular system was the most frequently involved organ system in sudden death cases (61.29%), with coronary artery disease being the leading cause of death (45.16%).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the proportion of organ systems involved in sudden deaths and identify primary causes.

Key Result

The cardiovascular system was the most frequently involved organ system in sudden death cases (61.29%), with coronary artery disease being the leading cause of death (45.16%).

Key Points

To determine the proportion of organ systems involved in sudden deaths and identify primary causes.
Conducted a record-based observational study over two and a half years at a tertiary care hospital.
Included all cases labeled as sudden death received in the autopsy section.
Analyzed a total of 62 cases of sudden death.
Majority of sudden deaths occurred in ages 30-60 (66.12%), with 83.87% male predominance.
Cardiovascular system involvement found in 61.29% of cases, primarily due to coronary artery disease.
Atherosclerosis-related coronary artery disease was identified as the leading cause of death (45.16%).

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=62)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

What are the primary organ systems involved and leading causes of sudden death in an autopsy cohort?

Population

62 sudden death cases received in the autopsy section at Sir T Hospital, Bhavnagar, from 1 January 2020 to 31 July 2022.

Outcome

Proportion of organ system involved in sudden death and leading causes of deathhard clinical

Cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of sudden death in this autopsy cohort, emphasizing the need for early screening.

Main Result

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Small sample size due to the lower number of autopsies performed at the hospital

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization, sudden and unexpected death is defined as death occurring in an individual not known to have any serious disease, injury, or poisoning, within 24 hours of the onset of terminal illness. Such deaths are usually considered non-suspicious in older individuals but may raise medico legal concerns when occurring in younger persons.Methods: A record-based observational study was conducted at Sir T Hospital, Bhavnagar, from 1 January 2020 to 31 July 2022. All cases labeled as sudden death and received in the autopsy section during the study period were included.Results: A total of 62 sudden death cases were analyzed. Most deaths occurred in the 30–60-year age group (66.12%), with a marked male predominance (83.87%). Sudden unconsciousness was the most common presenting symptom (40.32%). The cardiovascular system was involved in (61.29%) of cases, and Coronary Arterial Heart Disease was the leading cause of death (45.16%).Conclusion: Sudden deaths predominantly affected individuals over 30 years of age, representing a significant public health concern. Cardiac causes, particularly atherosclerosis related coronary artery disease, accounted for majority of cases. These findings emphasize the importance of regular health check-ups after 30 years of age to facilitate early detection of cardiovascular risk factors and reduce sudden mortality.

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