title: Sudden death due to self-treatment of peripheral edema with rubberband tourniquet.
abstract: A 70-year-old white male alcoholic with a history of congestive heart failure associated with peripheral edema was found dead in a pool of blood with a circumferential laceration of his right leg. A rubberband was found around the leg deep within the wound. The decedent reportedly refused medical treatment for his cardiovascular condition and treated himself by applying rubberbands and bandages around his legs to stop the spread of edema and infection.
authors.affiliation: Orange County Coroner's Office, New York.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Taff
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Boglioli
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gamma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012648:Self Care / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014111:Tourniquets / Q000009:adverse effects*