An Autopsy based Examination of heart findings in Electrocution and Sudden Cardiac Death cases

INTRODUCTION: One of the biggest challenges faced by forensic pathologists is death due to electrocution and sudden death below the age of 40 years without any pre existing illnesses. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common mechanism of death in electrocution. But it is not clear if, the fibrillation is purely due to electrophysiological changes or to identifiable structural abnormalities in the heart. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Examination of Autopsy findings of heart in Electrocution and Sudden Cardiac Death Cases. 2. Comparison of autopsy findings of heart in Electrocution and Sudden Cardiac Deaths. 3. Assessment of Electrocution and Sudden Cardiac Deaths related to age and gender. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This prospective study was undertaken in the department of Forensic Medicine, Coimbatore medical college, Coimbatore. Autopsied heart specimens from 52 electrocution deaths and 52 sudden cardiac deaths were preserved, stained with eosin and haemotoxylin and examined under microscope. RESULTS: There was higher incidence of electrocution deaths among as compared to females. The common age group involved is 31-40 years, mean age is 34.27. There was higher incidence of sudden cardiac deaths among males as compared to females under 40 years. The common age group involved is 21-30 years, mean age is 26.88. Out of 52 heart specimens from electrocution 51 showed evidence of myofibre breakup at histopathology. Out of 52 heart specimens from sudden cardiac deaths, there were no remarkable findings in 26 cases at autopsy and 39 cases during histopathology. No correlation was seen with respect to age, gender, coronary atherosclerosis and myofibre breakup. CONCLUSION: Based on our study we recommend histopathological examination of heart as an ancillary investigation for electrocution deaths and newer researches on physiological dysfunction of heart in sudden cardiac deaths. We also recommend further systematic studies for the betterment