Unilateral pulmonary edema complicating chest compression and cardiac avulsion

A 16-year-old male passenger involved in an automobile accident was observed at autopsy to have total avulsion of the heart from its vascular connections and severe unilateral pulmonary edema. The nature of the injuries and the circumstances of the accident revealed that this finding was not an indication of survival of even limited duration. The possible pathogenesis of the pulmonary edema in the context of the injuries received by the victim are discussed.