Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
06:29

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Published on: June 11, 2019

Postmortem intravascular high-density fluid level (hypostasis): CT findings

Seiji Shiotani1, Mototsugu Kohno, Noriyoshi Ohashi

  • 1Department of Radiology, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, University of Tsukuba, 1-3-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8558, Japan. shiotani@tmch.or.jp

Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
|December 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Postmortem CT (PMCT) can identify hypostasis, a common finding in non-traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest cases. This study observed hypostasis as a high-density fluid level in the heart or great vessels in over half of the examined patients.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Radiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Hypostasis, or postmortem pooling of blood, is a common finding after death.
  • Accurate identification of hypostasis is crucial for postmortem interpretation.
  • Postmortem CT (PMCT) offers a non-invasive method for evaluating postmortem changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the postmortem CT (PMCT) findings associated with hypostasis.
  • To determine the prevalence and characteristic appearance of hypostasis on PMCT.

Main Methods:

  • PMCT examinations were conducted within 2 hours of death.
  • The study included 126 patients who experienced non-traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest.
  • Image analysis focused on identifying fluid levels within the heart and great vessels.

Main Results:

  • Hypostasis was identified on PMCT in 66 out of 126 patients (52%).
  • The characteristic finding of hypostasis was a high-density fluid level.
  • This fluid level was observed within the lumen of the heart or great vessels.

Conclusions:

  • Hypostasis is consistently visualized on PMCT as an intravascular high-density fluid level.
  • PMCT provides a reliable method for detecting and characterizing hypostasis.
  • These findings aid in the interpretation of postmortem imaging in cases of cardiopulmonary arrest.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The Inverted Heart Model for Interstitial Transudate Collection from the Isolated Rat Heart07:59

The Inverted Heart Model for Interstitial Transudate Collection from the Isolated Rat Heart

Published on: June 20, 2017

Spatial Measurements of Perfusion, Interstitial Fluid Pressure and Liposomes Accumulation in Solid Tumors09:00

Spatial Measurements of Perfusion, Interstitial Fluid Pressure and Liposomes Accumulation in Solid Tumors

Published on: August 18, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT01:28

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanning is an advanced cardiac imaging technique that utilizes CT technology, with or without intravenous (IV) contrast, to produce accurate cross-sectional virtual slices of specific areas of the heart, coronary circulation, and major blood vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries. The computer processes these slices to generate three-dimensional images. Multidetector CT (MDCT) is a rapid form of CT scanning that captures multiple slices...
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology01:21

Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology

Cytotoxic edema is a form of cerebral edema characterized by intracellular swelling of neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells. It develops when the mechanisms responsible for maintaining ionic gradients across the cell membrane become impaired. Under normal physiological conditions, the sodium–potassium ATPase actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, preserving osmotic balance and enabling electrical signaling. This pump requires a continuous supply...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...