Predictors and outcomes of in-hospital referrals for forensic investigation after young sudden cardiac death

Background: Forensic investigations are recommended following sudden cardiac death (SCD) to determine cause of death and identify living relatives at potential risk. Not all young SCD patients are referred to coronial services.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify referral rates, predictors, and outcomes of young SCD patients who die in-hospital following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods: A prospective 2-year analysis of in-hospital deaths following OHCA in Victoria, Australia, was conducted using a statewide registry combining data from ambulance, hospital, and forensic resources.

Results: OHCA caused 26.3% of all deaths (n = 1301) in Victorians aged 1-50 years. Rates of prehospital and in-hospital referral to coronial services were 95.0% and 59.5%, respectively. Factors independently predicting in-hospital coronial referral were age <40 years, death in the emergency department, and rural status (odds ratios 4.07, 8.91, and 3.43, respectively). Establishing a diagnosis of coronary disease in-hospital substantially reduced odds of coronial referral (odds ratio 0.07). Of 107 SCD patients referred to the coroner from hospitals, 25 (23.3%) had illicit substances identified on toxicologic analysis. Eighty-one patients (75.7%) underwent autopsy, with cause of death determined in 65 cases (80.2%). Sixteen deaths (19.8%) remained unascertained after autopsy and ancillary investigations.

Conclusion: More than one-fourth of young Victorian deaths result from OHCA. Approximately half of patients dying in-hospital following OHCA are referred to the coroner. Patients referred are younger, more likely to die in the emergency department, and reside rurally. Forensic assessment identifies high rates of illicit drug use in young SCD patients and provides a definitive cause of death for most patients.

Keywords: Cardiac arrest; Coronial services; Mortality; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; Resuscitation.