TITLE:
Protocol of Investigation on Sudden Death at Autopsy, Including Molecular, Genetic and Toxicology Testing
AUTHORS:
Gaetano Thiene, Donata Favretto
KEYWORDS:
Family Screening, Genetics, Inheritance, Molecular Autopsy, Sudden Death, Toxicology
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: The role of the autopsy: 1) Whether the death is ascribable to a natural or unnatural cause and when natural, if cardiac or extra-cardiac; 2) The nosology of the cardiac diseases and the mechanism of cardiac death, whether arrhythmic or mechanical; 3) If the cardiac disease is inherited, screening and counselling of the next of kin is required. About 30% of sudden deaths is ascribable to genetically determined morbid entities, mostly transmissible with the autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, so that 50% of the first degree relatives are genetically affected (“carriers”) and exposed at risk; 4) If toxic or illicit drug abuse was involved.