Post-mortem echocardiography as a guide to cardiac autopsy : a worthwhile concept?

Abstract

Sudden and unexpected death in the young is a common and worldwide problem. Sudden, unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), clinically unexpected death in an infant between one week and one year of age, affects around 1 in 1000 infants. Autopsy will reveal a specific cause of death in only one third of cases. This has led to various ancillary examinations in an effort to increase the diagnostic yield of the autopsy. In this case report it is suggested that another diagnostic modality, that of the post-mortem echocardiogram might be a worthwhile concept to explore.