Sudden death in adults-an experience in National Institute of Forensic Medicine Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Malaysia

Sudden death is now currently described as natural unexpected death occurring within 1 h ofnew symptoms. Although cardiac causes are the leading cause of sudden death, the exact incidence ofthe other causes are not well established because in some countries, many sudden deaths are not autopsied. Many risk factors of sudden cardiac death are identified: age, gender and heredity factors. Sudden death in the young always requires systematic forensic autopsy performed by at least one forensic pathologist.

The present study shows the detailed analysis of incidence, clinical data, triggering events and pathological characteristics of sudden deaths in young adults on autopsy at National Institute of Forensic Medicine Hospital Kuala Lumpur.