Hypertension and sudden unexpected deaths: An autopsy study of four hundred and seventy-seven brought-in-dead in a tertiary health center

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is an important and major public health concern globally. One of the major causes of sudden death worldwide is hypertension. This study is to present the morphological pattern of deaths at autopsy of those patients who were brought-in-dead (BID) and who had hypertensive heart disease (HHD) as the underlying illness. Materials and Methods: This is a 6-year retrospective autopsy study of BID patients as a result of HHD seen at our department between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2015. The autopsy findings and data retrieved were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Test for statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 477 deaths (44%) as a result of HHD were recorded out of the 1016 BID during the period under study. The age ranged from 21 to 92 years with a mean age of 52 ± 14.0 years and a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. The 5 th decade of life was the most common age group encountered. The most common cause of death was acute left ventricular failure (67.8%), and myocardial infarction was the least common (1.7%). Conclusions: Acute left ventricular heart failure was the most common cause of sudden death as a result of hypertension and was followed by intracerebral hemorrhage. In the female gender, sudden deaths were most common in the 6 th decade and in the male gender most sudden deaths were seen in the 5 th decade.

Autopsy Pathology of Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease: Case Reports

“…Spontaneous (non-traumatic) intraparenchymal hemorrhages occur most commonly in middle to late adult life, with peak incidence at about 60 years. [7] Hypertension is the most common underlying cause of primary brain parenchymal hemorrhage, accounting for more than 50% of clinically significant hemorrhages and for roughly 15% of deaths among individuals with chronic hypertension. [2] Hypertension causes a number of abnormalities in vessel walls, including accelerated atherosclerosis in larger arteries as seen in this case; hyaline arteriolosclerosis in smaller vessels; and, in severe cases, proliferative changes and frank necrosis of arterioles.…”

“…These symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, stroke and sudden cardiac death. [7] This study reviews two autopsy reports of death from hypertensive cardiovascular disease at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Occupational Respiratory Diseases in Abia State, Nigeria

“…Doctors encourage people who may be exposed to substances that can damage the lungs to be screened regularly so that disorders can be identified as early as possible. [7] Specific screening tests and the frequency of the screening depend on the substances to which the person is exposed. Screening can include medical examinations and measuring the person's breathing using spirometry, and measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood.…”

Autopsy Pathology of Diabetic Nephropathy with Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease and Anemic Heart Failure

“…These symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, stroke and sudden cardiac death. [13] An Autopsy is performed on a dead body primarily to determine the cause of death. This study reviews a case report on the autopsy reports of death from diabetic nephropathy with hypertensive cardiovascular disease and anemic heart failure at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.…”