Cases of Adolescent Sudden Cardiac Death During Physical Exercise: Autopsy, Histological Findings

Abstract

According to experts’ recommendation unexpected death was defined as sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to cardiac causes that occurs in a short time period within 1 hour of acute symptoms onset in person with known or unknown cardiac vascular disease. It was later suggested that sudden death be defined as a natural death occurring unexpectedly within 24 hours of the onset of acute symptoms. The most common cause of cardiac arrest is coronary artery disease. Less common causes include major blood loss, lack of oxygen, very low potassium, heart failure and intense physical exercise. This report about of two autopsy cases of sudden adolescent cardiac death during physical education classes. As a result of strenuous muscular load and inadequate oxygen supply, myocardial hypoperfusion, electrical instability, and left ventricular dysfunction occurred.