ANALYSIS OF SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DEATH IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO, WITH EMPHASIS ON MYOCARDITIS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 120  (6) , 676-680
Abstract
The records of all 2427 autopsies performed at the Brantford [Ontario, Canada] General and Paris Willett hospitals from Jan. 1, 1969-Aug. 15, 1978 were reviewed. Of the 1299 cases of sudden unexpected death investigated by a coroner almost 28% were due to unnatural causes, violence or poisoning. The main cause of natural sudden death was coronary artery disease, which accounted for 43.3% of all the sudden unexpected deaths. In 20 cases the cause of death was thought to be viral myocarditis, and in 9 of the 20 there was serologic evidence of at least previous coxsackievirus disease. Two of the 9 cases were of special interest because of the finding of giant-cell myocarditis in 1 and aortic valve disease in the other. Eleven of the 20 persons were aged 13-46 yr. Apparently the most serious manifestation of enterovirus infection today is cardiac damage by coxsackieviruses.

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