Grading and occurrence of coronary artery stenosis in different age groups-an autopsy based study

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases especially ischemic heart disease is the most frequent cause of sudden and unexpected death that constitute a considerable portion of the autopsies conducted in our country. The most common cause of sudden death all over the globe is of cardiovascular origin. The peculiarity of heart disease in Indian population compared to other parts of the globe is that its onset is 5–10 years earlier. Sudden deaths in younger age groups have become a major concern. The extent and severity of atherosclerosis with stenosis is the most frequent pathological lesion which develops to coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease will soon emerge as the single largest disease accounting for nearly one-third of all deaths in India. Cases of sudden death, road traffic accidents, burns, poisoning and asphyxia brought to the mortuary of Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai for postmortem examination during the period of September 2014 to September 2015, were studied in detail. Age group between 61–70 years had severe stenosis of 70–99% with 6 cases while age group of 31–40, 41–50, 51–60 years had severe stenosis of 70–99% with 3 cases each and confirmed by histopathological examination. Regular health checkup with cardiovascular screening must be recommended every 6 months from the age of 21 years to prevent the menace of cardiovascular diseases.