ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

Sudden Cardiac Death During Exercise in a Weight Lifter Using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: Pathological and Toxicological Findings
Farb, A
Fellow and chairman, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, DC

Luke, JL
Consultant forensic pathologist, Behavioral Science Investigative Support Unit, FBI Academy, VA

Sample, RHB
Assistant professor, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN

Virmani, R
Fellow and chairman, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, DC

(Received 22 January 1990; accepted 1 February 1990)

Abstract

A 21-year-old, previously healthy weight lifter collapsed during a bench press workout. He had taken anabolic androgenic steroids parenterally for the previous several months. Pertinent autopsy findings included marked cardiac and renal hypertrophy and hepatosplenomegaly, with regional myocardial fibrosis and focal myocardial necrosis. Nandrolone (19-nor-testosterone) metabolites were identified in postmortem urine. The possible etiologies of the cardiac findings are discussed.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, steroids, death, sudden cardiac death, anabolic steroids, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, myocardial necrosis, exercise, athletes

Paper ID: JFS12981J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12981J
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