Sudden Death in a Rural Area. Investigation into DOA and Autopsy Records / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Sudden death (SD), which unexpectedy occurs in the middle aged and the elderly, is a subject worth studying. Much about the cause of the demise remains shrouded in mystery from the standpoint of medicine and has a significantly great impact on the community.<BR>We conducted a fact-finding survey of SD by gathering data on dead-on-arrival (DOA) cases stored by five general hospitals affiliated with the National Welfare Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives. Examined were 292 DOAs that were registered between January 1993 and December 1993 and autopsy findings of 45 cases obtained from one of the hospitals over the past eight years. The results are summed up as follows<BR>(1) The largest number of DOA cases was found in the age group of 70 to 79 years. About half of the total number was accounted for by people older than 70.<BR>(2) Cardiovascular disease topped the list of causative and basal ailments that might have led to SD. Especially ischemic heart disease was evident in many cases.<BR>(3) In many cases, death occurred during sleep or at rest.<BR>(4) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed according to rule on most of the victims, but the priamry resuscitation ratio came out at 26%.<BR>From these observations, we concluded that for the prediction and prevention of SD and DOA it is necessary to work on measures to help prevent and cure ischemic heart disease.