Unexpected death due to a biventricular thrombosis: Case report and review of literature. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barranco, Rosario; Caputo, Fiorella; Gaggero, Gabriele; Ventura, Francesco
• Is Part Of: Medico-legal journal. Volume 89:Part 1(2021)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 64
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Biventricular thrombosis -- autopsy -- cardiovascular pathology; Medical jurisprudence -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Crime -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 614.105
• DOI: 10.1177/0025817220953111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-8172

Abstract

Cardiac thrombosis is an unusual condition characterised by the formation of a clot in the heart chambers. Biventricular thrombosis with obstruction of blood flow and fatal cardiogenic shock is anecdotal. This report describes a rare biventricular thrombosis in an elderly woman without known risk factors which was diagnosed at autopsy. A complete autopsy is essential to ascertain the cause of death, especially in complex cases with little medical history. We suggest a possible explanation for the pathophysiological mechanism.