Spectrum of sudden cardiac death in Nepalese population - an institutional based study

Introduction: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is non traumatic deaths occurring within 24 hours from the onset of symptom due to a cardiac cause. This study was designed with an objective to evaluate spectrum of SCD in the Nepalese community.

 

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective analytical study, done at an autopsy center in Nepal, over one year. All SCD’s were verified using histopathological examination. Analysis was done using SPSS, Version-20. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for age. The frequency and percentage were calculated for gender, and cause of death. Stratification was done for age and post-stratification Chi square test or Fisher exact test was used.

 

Results: There was a total of 51 cases, with 44 (86.3%) males and 7 (13.7%) females. Peak death was between 40 –60 years. The most common cause of death was coronary artery diseases (CAD) (62.7%). There was significant association of gender with the different spectrum of SCD, with male gender having tendencies towards CAD and cardiomyopathy (CM).

 

Conclusion: Coronary artery disease is the commonest cause of sudden cardiac deaths, followed by cardiomyopathy. Both these diseases had significantly increased tendencies towards male gender.