Sudden Deaths in Young Adults: The Case for Proactive Screening with Computed Tomography Angiography

Results The Celebrity DeathsIn recent times, there has been increased reporting of sudden deaths among celebrities, which has caught the attention of the media and the country.The sudden deaths, mostly due to cardiac arrest, seem to occur not only among those in their 50s and 60s but also among younger people in their 40s.The largest cluster of celebrity IntRoductIonThe sudden and untimely deaths of young adults due to cardiac conditions have captured public attention, particularly when these involve well-known celebrities.Such incidents highlight a concerning trend: the rise of heart-related issues among younger populations.In India, this phenomenon has triggered a surge in cardiac computed tomography (CT) angiography, as individuals seek reassurance about their heart health.While increased awareness is a positive development, it also requires a balanced approach to screening, prevention, and education to address this alarming issue effectively.In this review, we aim to assess the problem, examine evidence on sudden death from other population cohorts, and evaluate the role of CT angiography as a screening tool. MethodsA systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.Data sources included PubMed, Scopus, WHO statistics, newspapers detailing celebrity deaths, and other relevant webpages.Inclusion criteria were studies related to sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs), coronary artery disease (CAD), and CT angiography, with a focus on studies conducted in India and globally.Parameters assessed included prevalence, risk factors, and the efficacy of CT angiography in screening asymptomatic individuals.