Recommendations for investigation of sudden death: the postmortem examination and imaging

COR	LOE	Recommendations	References
1	B-NR	1. An autopsy is strongly recommended in individuals with an SUD.	14,25,37,175–177
1	B-NR	2. Autopsies for SUD should be comprehensive, including photography, imaging, toxicology, gross examination of all organs, and detailed examination of the brain, heart, and thorax, with histology being essential.	14,175–177,180
1	B-NR	3. EDTA blood and/or one type of fresh tissue (heart, liver, spleen, skeletal muscle) should be saved at autopsy for SUD and banked at −20°C or −80°C for potential genetic analysis; two sources are ideal, if possible.	25,70,166,185
2b	C-LD	4. Storing frozen myocardial tissue may be considered at autopsy for SUD, as it may aid in assessing the significance of future genetic findings.	186,187
1	C-EO	5. Findings of an autopsy for SUD should be communicated to the family in a timely fashion in accordance with local legal requirements.
1	B-NR	6. Cases with likely cardiac causes for SUD should be referred to a pathologist with expertise in cardiac disease, as the finding of an abnormal or normal heart is important for family screening.	176,177,184
1	C-LD	7. When an autopsy for SUD reveals a possible genetic cause, or the heart is normal, then referral for clinical and genetic investigation of the family is recommended.	80,81,143,188,189