Journal Mobile

Author(s): 
K Jennings
Journal Issue: 
Volume 36: Issue 2: 2006

Format

Abstract

 

The majority of the approximately 100,000 sudden cardiac deaths each year  in  the  UK  are  associated  with  coronary  heart  disease, but  most  sudden deaths in those under 30 years of age are caused by inherited cardiomyopathies and  arrhythmias. In  those  aged  16–64  years,  a  coroner's  post  mortem examination  is  unable  to  identify  a  structural  cardiac  abnormality  in  4·0%.  The cause  of  death  is  therefore  uncertain. These  deaths  are  termed  ‘sudden arrhythmic death syndrome’ or ‘sudden unexpected death syndrome’

PDF