Introduction: Sudden death is one of the common mode of the death now a days. According to ICD 10 of the World Health Organization sudden death is defined as “Death occurring in less than 24 hours from onset of symptoms not otherwise explained”. It also emphasizes that sudden death is better known as non-violent or instantaneous for which no cause can be discovered. Despite modernization in medicine, the diagnosing tools lack in accuracy to find clinical cause of death in comparison with autopsy cause of death. Across all age groups, cardiac related diseases play a significant role in both sudden and unexpected death. In this study, cases of sudden deaths are examined histopathologically to establish possible causes of the sudden deaths. Aim: To study histopathology of the organs of sudden death cases in autopsy and identify common but clinically important causes of sudden death. This study would show the impact of lifestyle of our society and thus help to increase awareness in population at risk as well as lifestyle modification which might reduce the incidence of sudden death. Material and Method: A study of autopsies of sudden deaths between August 2014 to July 2017(3 Years) at department of Pathology, BRIMS, Bidar. Result: Total autopsies received during August 2014 to July 2017 were 198, among which those with sudden death were 54 cases (27.27%). The age ranged from 11 years to 90 years, among which sudden death was maximum in 41 to 60 years of age and males were affected more than the females. Out of 54 sudden deaths, 37 cases (68.52%) died of cardiovascular causes, mainly myocardial infarction; while 17cases (31.48%) were of non cardiac causes, in which pulmonary aetiologies predominate. Among 37 cases of cardiovascular causes, 9 had other co-morbid conditions. Conclusion: It is concluded that sudden deaths were more common in 4th and 5th decade of life with male preponderance and most common causes are cardiovascular, while sudden deaths between 11 to 30 years of age were mainly due to non cardiac causes.

Keywords: Sudden Death; Autopsy; Cardiovascular and Non Cardiac Causes.