MORFOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CARDIAC FIBROSIS IN SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH MORFOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CARDIAC FIBROSIS IN SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH

Abstract

Abstract :This article presents the findings of a retrospective analysis of medicolegal autopsy reports in cases of sudden
cardiac death. This study aimed to identify morphological changes in myocardial connective tissue among individuals aged 18–45 years who experienced sudden cardiac arrest. In instances of sudden unexpected adult death,
the arrhythmogenic mechanism of sudden cardiac death tends to be more common than that of mechanical death.
Cardiac fibrosis was identified in 78% of the cases, with diffuse interstitial fibrosis being (DIF) the predominant type in
91% of these cases. A significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between the area of DIF in the study group
and that in the control group. The authors concluded that sudden cardiac death cases, where no clear cause
is identified during autopsy, often stem from a functional and/or structural arrhythmogenic substrate induced by
cardiac fibrosis (myocardial remodelling).