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Sudden Unexpected Death in Three Generations
J. Russell Green, Jr., MD;
M. Jerome Korovetz, MD, PhD;
Douglas R. Shanklin, MD;
James J. DeVito, MD;
W. Jape Taylor, MD
Arch Intern Med. 1969;124(3):359-363.
Abstract
Ten instances of sudden unexpected deaths were identified in three generations. Average age at death was 21 years, and in one generation 30% died abruptly at an average age of 13. Syncopal episodes heralded death in 80%, but no other signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease existed. No abnormalities were found in 22 members of recent generations. Serial study of the conduction systems of two patients revealed minor variances from normal. Perhaps a nonsex-linked gene has produced minor anatomical defects of the conduction system which could predispose to the development of fatal arrhythmias by a variety of environmental factors. The Lev technique for bundle studies of the conduction system should be used in similar instances of unexplained death with grossly normal hearts.
Author Affiliations
Gainesville, Fla; St. Augustine, Fla; Gainesville, Fla
Footnotes
Received for publication March 10, 1969; accepted, April 15.
From the Department of Medicine (Drs. Green and Taylor), University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville. Dr. Korovetz is now at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and Dr. Shanklin is now at the University of Chicago and the Chicago Lying-In Hospital.
Read in part before the third Fall Meeting of the American College of Physicians, Miami, Fla, October 1965.
Reprint requests to Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32601 (Dr. Green).
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