A 32-Year-Old Man Dies Suddenly in His Sleep

A 32-year-old man dies suddenly in his sleep.  He had been experiencing easy fatigability for the past 6 months and mentioned that he was feeling tired "'all the time"' and needed to take naps during the day.  He did not drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.  He smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.  His father died from a "heart problem" at age 40.  On autopsy, the heart appears grossly enlarged.  A layered mural thrombus is seen in the left ventricular apex.  Coronary atherosclerosis is present, with 20% narrowing of the mid-left anterior descending artery and 25% narrowing of the left circumflex artery.  Which of the following is the most likely cause of death of this patient?

A) Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
B) Dilated cardiomyopathy
C) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
D) Ischemic heart disease
E) Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Correct Answer:

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