# Sudden perioperative death post aortic valve replacement with autopsy showing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in elderly female

## TL;DR

An elderly woman with undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy died suddenly after aortic valve replacement, highlighting the importance of autopsies in post-operative deaths.

## Contribution

This case emphasizes the critical role of autopsy in identifying undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a cause of sudden perioperative death.

## Key findings

- The patient had undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, revealed post-mortem.
- Autopsy findings showed septal hypertrophy and myocyte disarray consistent with HCM.
- The case underscores the need for family screening to prevent sudden cardiac death.

## Abstract

Perioperative death is a catastrophic event for the family and the surgical team. It is in the interest of both that an autopsy is carried out to explain the death. We report a sudden perioperative death post aortic valve replacement in an undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in an elderly female.

A 73-year-old female underwent an elective aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to severe aortic valve stenosis (AS). The operation went smoothly. However, left ventricular function was poor despite maximal inotropic treatment. The left ventricular function never recovered and she died on the operating table. The heart weight was normal but the left ventricle shows septal hypertrophy (20 mm). Histology of the left ventricle showed florid myocyte disarray indicating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AS is the most common Valvular Heart Disease, and most patients undergo AVR. Nevertheless, sudden unexpected death remains a common cause of late mortality after successful valve replacement. Surprisingly this lady died just after the operative procedure. Histological examination confirmed HCM. HCM is an inherited cardiac condition and it is important for the family to be screened to prevent future sudden cardiac death.

This case highlights the importance of autopsy in a post-operative death case. It can be of great value to the surgical team and family members.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00414-025-03544-9.