Sudden Death Due to Giant Cell Myocarditis: A Case Report

Abstract

The definition of sudden death is variable and there has been no single all-purpose definition. Sudden death can be defined as sudden or unexpected death in an otherwise healthy individual who is not known to have been suffering from any dangerous disease, injury or poisoning and is found dead or dies within 24 hours after the onset of terminal illness. Some authorities limit the duration to 1 hour. Because of the sudden and unexpected nature of death, inquest is conducted in such cases to rule out foul play and ascertain the cause of death. A vast majority of cases are due to cardiac origin followed by respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal and genitourinary causes. The most common cardiac disease to cause sudden death is ischemic heart disease as a result of coronary atherosclerosis. Coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies and electrophysiologic abnormalities are the common causes of sudden cardiac deaths. We present a rare case of sudden death in a healthy adult male due to giant cell myocarditis. Cardiol Res. 2015;6(6):372-375 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/cr446e