Autopsy results and factors associated with sudden cardiac death in young individuals with congenital heart disease - a nationwide studyShow others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal, ISSN 1401-7431, E-ISSN 1651-2006, Vol. 59, no 1, article id 2480131Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Objectives: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading cause of mortality among individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD), and risk stratification remains challenging. This study aimed to describe the underlying structural cardiac abnormalities in a national cohort of SCD victims with CHD, their socioeconomic status, and interactions with the healthcare system before death. Methods: The Swedish study of Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young, 2000-2010, included SCD victims under 36 years, along with population-based controls and their parents. Of 903 SCD victims, 39 with autopsy-defined CHD were included in this study, together with 195 controls. Information on socioeconomic variables and healthcare contacts was gathered from Swedish national registers. Results: The median age for SCD was 24 years, and 64% were male. The CHD was undiagnosed before death in 31% of the cases, of whom 8 had coronary anomalies. Moderate to complex CHD was observed in 41%. Structural abnormalities of the ventricles were prevalent, with left ventricular hypertrophy present in 56% and fibrosis in 64%. The cases had a higher frequency of hospital admissions within 6 months before SCD compared to controls (OR 14.1,95% CI 3.80-52.44), p < 0.001. No socioeconomic differences were observed. Conclusions: This study identified a broad spectrum of underlying anatomical defects, with ventricular structural abnormalities being a common autopsy finding. The majority of cases had moderate to severe lesions. An increased frequency of healthcare contacts prior to death was noted, which may be a variable needing more attention as a predictor for a higher risk of SCD.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2025. Vol. 59, no 1, article id 2480131
Keywords [en]
Congenital heart disease, sudden cardiac death, autopsy, risk-stratification, socioeconomic status, morbidity
National Category
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine Pediatrics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-554658DOI: 10.1080/14017431.2025.2480131ISI: 001454415400001PubMedID: 40094212Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105001358998OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-554658DiVA, id: diva2:1952665
2025-04-162025-04-162025-04-16Bibliographically approved