Cocaine-Induced Sudden Cardiac Death Unravelling a SCN5A-Related Disease

Cocaine consumption is a significant global problem, with an estimated 20 million users worldwide. Sudden cardiac death is frequently reported in this population, particularly among individuals <40 years of age. The role of underlying inherited heart disorders in these cases remains largely unexplored. We report the case of a patient who suffered a cocaine-induced sudden death, where a dedicated program investigating unexplained deaths in the young identified a SCN5A-related disease. We hypothesize that inherited heart diseases may contribute to cocaine-induced sudden cardiac death and that a multidisciplinary program systematically evaluating sudden deaths in young individuals is essential to uncover this association and reveal hidden risk factors. Integrating clinical data with traditional pathological examination and molecular autopsy is crucial for determining the cause of death and enabling cascade screening in relatives.