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Abstract
Sudden death (SD) has a great impact on the medical community and on society in general. The aim of this study was to investigate the autopsy causes and associated pathological characteristics of SD in a teaching hospital of the Wuxi area and to discuss suitable methods for diagnosis and prophylaxis. In this retrospective study, data were collected from 134 SD patients. Ancillary studies covering histology and toxicology were also performed and analysed for the presence of risk factors. The subjects included 94 men and 40 women (M:F ratio = 2.35:1; P < 0.05). The peak age was 20–39 years, accounting for 32.1% (43 cases) of the total number of cases. The most common cause of SD in all cases was cardiovascular disease (n = 79, 59.0%). Cases in which coronary atherosclerotic heart disease was the prime culprit were named sudden cardiac death (SCD). Other causes of death included respiratory disease, neurological disease, and other diseases. Sudden death causes are numerous. This study aims to help prevent SD and to improve the processes of diagnosis and prevention. The results of completely accurate autopsies are necessary, in order to encourage epidemiological and preventive studies on sudden death.