Cardiovascular disease and drowning: autopsy and laboratory findings.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this report is to describe the main autopsy and laboratory findings from a large number of drowning victims in Greece.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was carried out of the consecutive cases of drowning victims autopsied in our department during the period 1997-2004.


RESULTS
A total of 197 submersion cases were referred to the Department. In 168 cases drowning was considered as the cause of death. In 82 cases (49%) significant histopathological findings from the cardiovascular system were present. Alcohol was found in 21 cases (13%) and psychoactive substances in 4 cases (2%). Food was found in the stomach of 45 drowning victims (27%). Men (65%) and elderly people (60 years and older, 74%) made up the majority of drowning victims. In 29 submersion cases the cause of death was other than drowning; in 25 of these cases death was attributed to cardiovascular disease (complication of coronary artery disease, 23 cases; dissecting aortic aneurysm, 1 case; cerebral stroke, 1 case).


CONCLUSIONS
The great majority of drowning victims are the elderly and men. Moreover, in a considerable number of submersion cases cardiovascular disease was related to the death, either as a contributing factor, or as the cause of death.
Papadodima
Stavroula A
SA
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. stpapd@med.uoa.gr
Sakelliadis
Emmanouil I
EI
Kotretsos
Panagiotis S
PS
Athanaselis
Sotiris A
SA
Spiliopoulou
Chara A
CA
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D004332:Drowning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors