Coroner / Pathology Section
In this area you will find information about how CRY is working with Coroners and Pathologists. There are also articles written by Coroners and Pathologists about why and how they are involved in cases of young sudden cardiac death.
The Coroners' Society of England and Wales
has the following objectives:
the promotion of the usefulness of the office of coroner to the public
the ascertainment in questions of difficulty of the duties which devolve on coroners
the advancement of such amendments to the law as seem desirable
the establishment and maintenance of contact with HM Government
the protection of the rights and interest of coroners
The Royal College of Pathologists' latin motto translates as:
"To seek the sites and causes of disease."
This is echoed in their 21st century strapline:
"Pathology: the science behind the cure."
Source Article
National Pathology Week National Pathology Week podcasts
Dr Mary Sheppard was involved in several discussions at the Royal Geographical Society during National Pathology Week 2009.
Arrhythmia Watch Call for post-mortem genetic testing to become routine in cases of sudden death
At a meeting on Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) at the Royal Society of Medicine, sponsored by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), doctors have called for coroners to routinely request consent from relatives to allow small amounts of tissue to be retained from young people (under 35 year olds) who die suddenly from heart disease or without explanation.
CRY website
New roles for Dr Mary Sheppard
Announcement of two important new positions granted to Dr Mary Sheppard.
CRY Press Release Leading heart charity welcomes new initiative to 'track' sudden cardiac death in the young
National database hopes to cut deaths by making families & coroners more aware of 'heart health history'
An announcement from the Department of Health and a collaboration of pathologists and heart experts has received praise from the campaigning and awareness raising charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Department of Health
Press Release Launch of the Sudden Cardiac Death pathology database
In most middle-aged and older adults, sudden cardiac death is caused by coronary artery disease. In contrast, sudden cardiac death in individuals aged less than 35 years is frequently caused by inherited disorders of cardiac muscle (cardiomyopathy) and cardiac rhythm (ion channelopathies). The genetic nature of many of these diseases means that the relatives of young sudden cardiac death victims are at risk.
The Bulletin of the Royal College of Pathologists Sudden cardiac death in the young and helping bereaved families
Dr Mary Sheppard has been working as a specialist cardiac pathologist for the past 12 years at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Many people think cardiac pathology is boring, lacking the diagnostic challenges of surgical pathology. Even colleagues have been known to state it is "easy", based upon ischaemic heart disease where coronary arteries and diseased muscle is all that is needed to be looked at with the naked eye. However, there is also a very personal and moving aspect to the job, which Dr Sheppard shares with us here.
CRY Press Release New labs 'promise' answers for hundreds of bereaved families
The agonising wait endured by many families following the sudden – and tragic – death of a child or partner could soon be over as London opens the UK's first ever 'fast-track' pathology laboratories to help analyse the causes of unexpected cardiac death in 'apparently' fit and healthy young people.
BBC News website
'My fight to find out why Adam died'
Adam Payne was just eight years old when he collapsed during a football match and died. For months nobody was able to tell his family why it had happened, but doctors said they suspected epilepsy to be the cause of death.
BBC News website
Fast-track lab for sudden deaths
A new national fast-track laboratory is aiming to offer definitive explanations of sudden cardiac deaths in people under the age of 35 within a few weeks.
The Guardian Under the microscope
"Because we don't have direct patient access we are considered the backroom boys," says Dr Mary Sheppard, while sipping coffee in the Royal Brompton Hospital cafe.
CRY Press Release Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) invests £300,000 to advance understanding of genetic silent killer – young sudden cardiac death
Two years on from publication of the NHS Chapter 8 strategy on Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death, leading charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), has committed to fund coroner referrals to an expert cardiac pathologist when a young person dies suddenly and the cause is unknown.
CRY Press Release Heart Charity CRY announce new Initiative to help prevent Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young
At this year's annual Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) reception, as part of the CRY Raising Awareness Week, CRY will be announcing a major new initiative funding research which will be conducted by Dr Mary Sheppard of the National Heart and Lung institute at the Royal Brompton Hospital.
CRY families "Why is the CRY coroner/pathology initiative important?"
This section contains quotes from CRY families, illustrating why CRY's coroner / pathology initiative (see Press Releases above) is so vital.
Anonymous Coroner
Why is the coroner involved?
Any death of which the cause is not immediately known had by law to be reported to the Coroner.
Anonymous Pathologist
Sudden Unidentified Death Syndrome & the Pathologist
"Once or twice a year I see previously fit young people who die suddenly with no apparent cause."
