[The analysis of pericardial fluid in forensic practice].
Pericardial fluid is a kind of serous fluid in pericardial cavity. Because blood undergoes postmortem changes such as autolysis and putrefaction, vitreous humor is limited,cerebrospinal fluid is easily mixed with blood, pericardial fluid, on the other hand, exists in a closed cavity and can be hardly contaminated by postmortem changes, and also is easily obtained. Pericardial fluid not only plays an important role in clinic practice, but also is widely applicable in forensic practice. This paper briefly presented the properties of pericardial fluid and its clinical significance. It reviewed biochemical changes in decedents died of heart diseases, drowning and asphyxia, and explored the significance in medico-legal investigation. Moreover, application of pericardial fluid in forensic serology, forensic toxicological analysis and other fields were also discussed. Pericardial fluid analysis may provide important information for determination of the cause of death with further investigation concerning forensic applicability of pericardial fluid.
Mao
Rui-Ming
RM
School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China. phransemrm@yahoo.com.cn
Zheng
Ping-Ping
PP
Zhu
Cheng-Rui
CR
Zhu
Bao-Li
BL
D001237:Asphyxia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004332:Drowning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D010496:Pericardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D019210:Troponin I / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D019210:Troponin I; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium