Table 2. Descriptive data of the cohort.
| Characteristics | Number | (N =61) |
|---|---|---|
| Gender (male) | 43 | (70%) |
| Median age at time of death (years) | 39 | (Range 1–50) |
| Median BMI | 25 | (Range 17–45)a |
| Witnessed death | 9 | (15%) |
| Family history of SCD | 2 | (3%) |
| Event at death | ||
| At rest | 17 | (28%) |
| Sleep | 15 | (25%) |
| Physical exercise | 6 | (10%) |
| Unknown | 23 | (38%) |
| Symptoms immediately before death | ||
| Vomiting | 1 | (2%) |
| Fever | 1 | (2%) |
| Chest pain | 2 | (3%) |
| Dyspnea | 1 | (2%) |
| Palpitation | 1 | (2%) |
| Post-mortem toxicologyb | 54 | (89%) |
| Negative | 16 | (30%)c |
| Antiepileptic drugs | 10 | (19%)c |
| Anxiolytics/hypnotics | 9 | (17%)c |
| Antidepressant | 8 | (15%)c |
| Antipsychotics | 7 | (13%)c |
| Illegal drugsd | 6 | (11%)c |
| Strong analgesics | 2 | (4%)c |
| Other | 27 | (50%)c |
| Medical history | ||
| Psychiatric diseasee | 16 | (26%) |
| Epilepsy | 14 | (23%) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 5 | (8%) |
| Known cardiac problemsf | 4 | (7%) |
| Hypertension | 4 | (7%) |
| Cerebral disorders | 3 | (5%) |
| Asthma | 1 | (2%) |
| Dyspnea on exertion | 1 | (2%) |
| Hepatitis C | 1 | (2%) |
Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; SCD, sudden cardiac death.
a
Excluding four children (ages 1 (2), 3 and 11 years).
b
No drug was found in toxic level that could explain the cause of death.
c
Percentage of cases with post-mortem toxicology screening.
d
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cocaine, gamma-hydroxybutyrat (GHB), amphetamine or anabolic steroids.
e
Schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder or depression.
f
Third-degree AV block, tachycardia, cardiac arrest with seizures, syncope, ventricular extrasystoli and unspecified cardiac diseases.