Behind the scenes of deaths of swimming adults in the water: sudden cardiac deaths.

Abstract

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major global public health concern. However, the complex interplay between cardiac pathologies and drowning-related deaths remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the physiological and pathological mechanisms underlying sudden aquatic deaths by evaluating the cardiovascular effects of swimming.

Methods: An extensive dataset was analyzed, including demographic features, death circumstances, detailed autopsy findings, especially macroscopic and microscopic cardiac evaluations, and final causes of death from 222 of the 5267 cases examined over a 10-year period.

Results: Cardiac pathologies were identified in 72.9% of cases through macroscopic examinations and in 75.7% of cases through microscopic analyses. The most common macroscopic findings included cardiac hypertrophy and significant coronary artery atherosclerosis. Histopathological examinations revealed frequent cases of myocardial hypertrophy, chronic ischemic changes, and old infarct scars. Acute myocardial infarction was detected in 3.6% of the patients. Despite detailed autopsy and histological analyses in 8.6% of cases, no macroscopic or microscopic pathologies could be identified, suggesting the potential role of molecular cardiac disorders, such as channelopathies. Toxicological analysis revealed that 35.1% of cases involved consumption of active cardiovascular drugs.

Conclusion: Sudden cardiac death among swimmers in aquatic environments is strongly associated with pre-existing or latent cardiovascular conditions. Integration of molecular autopsy techniques is recommended to better elucidate unexplained deaths. Further, awareness of the underlying cardiac risk factors for drowning should be increased among forensic experts, clinicians, and public health authorities.