Henriques de Gouveia, R. (2003) Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young: Morphological Characteristics of Selected Causes. Medical Sciences Faculty, Nova Lisbon University, Lisbon.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Sudden Death as the Outcome of Cardiac Arrest, in a Portuguese Region: Where Do Resuscitation Manoeuvres Stand?

  AUTHORS: Rosa Henriques de Gouveia, Adriana Martins, Duarte Nuno Vieira

  KEYWORDS: Cardiac Arrest, Resuscitation Manoeuvres, Sudden Death, Portugal

  JOURNAL NAME: World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, Vol.5 No.8, August 26, 2015

  ABSTRACT: Cardiac Arrest (CA) is a major health problem, due to short and long-term sequel? and to associated mortality. Despite the improvement of out-of-hospital and in-hospital resuscitation manoeuvres, unexpected sudden fatal events occur. The authors reported the features of a series of sudden death (SD) cases where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed. Files of 1053 medico-legal autopsies, from victims aged ≥18 years-old, were reviewed. Cardiac Arrest leading to Sudden Death were found in 477 cases (45.3%), but only 199 (42%) of these had been submitted to resuscitation manoeuvres. There was an elderly male predominance. Both non-cardiac and cardiac CA/SD causes were present, despite the higher coronary artery disease incidence. Both out-of-hospital and in-hospital events took place. Age, severity of the disease, comorbidities and predominance of out-of-hospital CA were obstacles to successful CPR, leading to SD. Knowing the population characteristics may help to improve Emergency Assistance.