Sudden cardiac death and channelopathies.

In Europe, the United States, and much of developed society, sudden cardiac death remains the biggest killer. Although many of these cases are due to known causes, such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, some cases will not have clear findings at necropsy. Unexplained sudden death with an unremarkable autopsy is not rare, and the coroner or pathologist should consider genetically associated causes of disease, as discussed below. We will discuss the clinical presentation; genetic, molecular, and cellular abnormalities; and diagnostic evaluation of these causes, including ion channelopathies and cardiomyopathies (see list below). These diseases should be considered when there is no clear cause for death. Because these disorders have a genetic basis, other family members (who are still living and could seek treatment) could also be affected.