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The Importance of the Autopsy in Medicine: Perspectives of Pathology Colleagues

Louis Maximilian Buja1, Rolf F Barth2, Gerhard R Krueger1

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.

Academic Pathology
|March 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The autopsy remains crucial for medical advancements in cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Future research utilizing autopsy tissues with molecular techniques holds immense potential, despite challenges to autopsy rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pathology
  • Medical Science
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The autopsy has historically been vital for understanding disease mechanisms and improving medical practice.
  • Physician-scientists share perspectives on the autopsy's role, particularly in cardiovascular and infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the enduring importance of the autopsy in medical practice and scientific research.
  • To discuss future opportunities for autopsy-based research using advanced molecular techniques.
  • To address challenges impacting autopsy rates in academic medical centers.

Main Methods:

  • Perspective-based review of autopsy contributions in cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
  • Discussion of molecular biological techniques applied to autopsy tissues.
  • Analysis of factors influencing autopsy rates in academic settings.

Main Results:

  • The autopsy has made seminal contributions to understanding cardiovascular diseases (congenital heart disease, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction) and infectious diseases (tuberculosis, viral infections).
  • Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded autopsy tissues offer significant opportunities for molecular biological research.
  • Declining influence of pathology and other factors impede autopsy rates in academic medical centers.

Conclusions:

  • The autopsy's value in medical practice and scientific discovery is immense.
  • Leveraging advanced molecular techniques on autopsy tissues can unlock new research avenues.
  • Addressing challenges to autopsy rates is critical for realizing the full benefits of autopsy for medicine and society.

Keywords:
autopsycardiovascular diseasegraduate medical educationpathologytuberculosisundergraduate medical educationviral infections

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