ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 13

Cardiac Pathology in 470 Consecutive Forensic Autopsies
Nyhuis, AW
Resident physician, and biostatistician, Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis, Inc., IN

Waller, BF
Professor of pathology and medicine and director, Section of Cardiovascular Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN

Hawley, DA
Associate professor, Culbertson professor and director, and assistant professor, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN

Pless, JE
Associate professor, Culbertson professor and director, and assistant professor, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN

Clark, MA
Associate professor, Culbertson professor and director, and assistant professor, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN

Catellier, MJ
Resident physician, and biostatistician, Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis, Inc., IN

(Received 11 July 1989; accepted 20 September 1989)

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the single most common generic cause of sudden and unexpected deaths. Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction are the most prevalent forms of fatal cardiac disease observed at autopsy. Other cardiac lesions are frequently listed as causes of death, but the prevalence of such lesions as incidental findings in the general population is unknown. In this study, 470 consecutive forensic autopsies were evaluated for minor and major anomalies. The most frequently observed major congenital finding was floppy mitral valve (5%). Tunneled coronary arteries, considered minor congenital findings, were seen in 29%. Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease was the most common major acquired finding, observed in 16% of cases. Of the 470 hearts, only 8% were considered normal.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, cardiovascular system, cardiovascular disease, heart, coronary atherosclerosis, autopsy, congenital heart disease, forensic pathology

Paper ID: JFS12928J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12928J
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