Investigating the Causes of Nontraumatic Sudden Death during Sport Activities in Isfahan Province, Iran

Considering today's life, sports and physical activities are of special importance in people’s health. Athletes, as a unique part of the society, are very famous and children and teenagers look at them as heroes. But, they are at the risk of sudden death mainly because of unknown origin. Since there is little information about the causes of sudden death among the athletes in Iran, this study aimed to assess the causes of nontraumatic sudden death during sport activities in Isfahan province, Iran, according to the data of Isfahan Legal Medicine Organization.
In this retrograde descriptive study, considering the data of Isfahan Legal Medicine Organization, 32942 file of the Division of Decedents from the years 2003 to 2013 were investigated; in some cases, the pathological samples were studied again to confirm the diagnosis and in some others, their families were asked to complete the data. Finally, the sample consisted of 30 cadavers (27 men and 3 women) who were divided to 2 groups of under and over the age of 35 years. Findings were presented using tables and charts.
Findings: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was the most common cause of death seen in 11 cases (37%), 9 of them were of the group of under 35 years. Second prevalent cause was ischemic coronary atherosclerosis in 9 cases (30%), 3 of were of the group of under 35 years. Mitral valve prolapse was seen in 2 cases (7%) both of the group of under 35 years. Coronary and cerebral arteries abnormalities each one were seen in one case (3%) both of the group of under 35 years where as myocardial dysplasia was seen in 1 case (3%) of the group over 35 years. Other causes were identified in 4 cases (13%) of the group of less than 35 years.
Based on this study, the most common cause of nontraumatic sudden death during sport activities in Isfahan Province was severe coronary atherosclerosis for the ages of over 35 years hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for the ages of less than 35 years.