ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 5 January 2005
Page Count: 4

Incidental Myocardial Infarction in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV?
Gilchrist, ER
Central Sydney Laboratory Service & University of Sydney,

Duflou, JA
Central Sydney Laboratory Service & University of Sydney,

(Received 24 April 2004; accepted 10 October 2004)

Abstract

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV is an illness that often leads to premature death due to arterial rupture or dissection and is characterized by very fragile connective tissue. This report documents the death of a 30-year-old man with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV from myocardial rupture and cardiac tamponade following a myocardial infarction. We believe that Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV contributed to the coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial rupture in this young man and that this disease led indirectly to his death by myocardial infarction, an unusual cause of death in this syndrome.

Keywords:
forensic science, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac tamponade, autopsy, sudden death

Paper ID: JFS2004168
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004168
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