Proportion of Organ System Involved in Sudden Death: A Histopathological Autopsy Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bhavnagar

Background: According to the World Health Organization, sudden and unexpected death is defined as death occurring in an individual not known to have any serious disease, injury, or poisoning, within 24 hours of the onset of terminal illness. Such deaths are usually considered non-suspicious in older individuals but may raise medico legal concerns when occurring in younger persons.Methods: A record-based observational study was conducted at Sir T Hospital, Bhavnagar, from 1 January 2020 to 31 July 2022. All cases labeled as sudden death and received in the autopsy section during the study period were included.Results: A total of 62 sudden death cases were analyzed. Most deaths occurred in the 30–60-year age group (66.12%), with a marked male predominance (83.87%). Sudden unconsciousness was the most common presenting symptom (40.32%). The cardiovascular system was involved in (61.29%) of cases, and Coronary Arterial Heart Disease was the leading cause of death (45.16%).Conclusion: Sudden deaths predominantly affected individuals over 30 years of age, representing a significant public health concern. Cardiac causes, particularly atherosclerosis related coronary artery disease, accounted for majority of cases. These findings emphasize the importance of regular health check-ups after 30 years of age to facilitate early detection of cardiovascular risk factors and reduce sudden mortality.