Coronary arteritis diagnosed at autopsy: three case reports and review of the literature

H J Carson1, B L Feickert

  • 1Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA. hjcmd@earthlink.net

Insights

Coronary arteritis, though rare, can be fatal. This study highlights three cases where coronary arteritis contributed to death, emphasizing its significance in forensic pathology for unexplained fatalities.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Cardiovascular Pathology

Background:

  • Coronary arteritis is a rare condition with potentially fatal outcomes.
  • It can occur independently or alongside other diseases.

Observation:

  • The study presents three male cases (ages 45, 56, and 80) with coronary arteritis.
  • These individuals experienced sudden collapse, found deceased, or had recent cerebrovascular accidents.
  • All cases exhibited coronary arteritis, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, myocardial disease, and fatty liver changes.

Findings:

  • Coronary arteritis was identified as a significant finding in all three deceased men.
  • Two individuals also had co-existing lung diseases.
  • The constellation of pathologies included cardiovascular and cardiac diseases.

Implications:

  • Coronary arteritis may represent an independent cause of death.
  • It can be a component of systemic disease or a cluster of cardiovascular pathologies.
  • This condition warrants consideration in forensic investigations of unexplained deaths.

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