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Infective endocarditis and phlebotomies may have killed mozart
1Jong-Koo Lee Heart Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Thirty-five year-old Amadeus Mozart died in Vienna after an acute illness that lasted only 15 days but no consensus has been reached on the cause of his death. From many letters written by his farther it is almost certain that he experienced at least three episodes of acute rheumatic fever attack in his childhood, and a relapse of rheumatic fever was suggested to have killed Mozart, although death from acute rheumatic fever is very rare in adults. His last illness was characterized by high fever, massive edema, vomiting and skin rash. His last illness can be explained by infectious endocarditis and heart failure. During his last hours, he was given phlebotomy, possibly for the third time in two weeks, and soon after he became unconscious and died. As such, phlebotomy performed on a man dehydrated by high fever and vomiting may have caused systemic shock. In summary, Mozart probably died from chronic rheumatic heart disease complicated by infective endocarditis and heart failure, and repeated phlebotomy-induced hypovolemic shock.
Insights
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart likely died from chronic rheumatic heart disease, complicated by infective endocarditis and heart failure. Repeated phlebotomy may have induced hypovolemic shock, contributing to his death.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The precise cause of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's death remains undetermined despite historical accounts.
- Mozart experienced multiple childhood episodes suggestive of acute rheumatic fever.
- Rheumatic fever relapse is a proposed cause, though rare in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze Mozart's final illness and death based on historical records.
- To investigate potential contributing factors to his demise.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical letters and medical context surrounding Mozart's death.
- Differential diagnosis based on described symptoms and potential treatments.
Main Results:
- Mozart's final illness presented with high fever, edema, vomiting, and rash, consistent with infectious endocarditis and heart failure.
- Repeated phlebotomy (bloodletting) was administered during his illness.
- Phlebotomy on a dehydrated patient may have precipitated systemic shock.
Conclusions:
- Mozart likely suffered from chronic rheumatic heart disease.
- Infective endocarditis and heart failure were probable complications.
- Phlebotomy-induced hypovolemic shock may have been a critical factor in his death.
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