title: Death due to coronary artery insufficiency following blunt trauma to the chest.
abstract: There have been numerous reports of sudden cardiac death following blunt trauma to the chest, but there is lack of such references in forensic literature. It is the court of law which makes decision about trauma precipitating natural events. The forensic pathologist is scientifically trained in the medical field and would be in a better position to give clear picture about the victim's general status at the time of death, exact nature and severity of the illness he is suffering from if any. He can also assess the nature and severity of injuries sustained, and thus, his opinion as to the possible role played by the traumatic event in bringing about the death is valuable. This paper will discuss the mechanism of cardiac injury or possible cardiac injury and sudden death of an apparently healthy 36-year-old male following blunt chest trauma sustained during alleged assault by his neighbor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, MS Ramaiah Medical College, MSRIT Post, MSR Nagar, Bangalore, 560054, India.
authors.forename: Basappa S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hugar
authors.forename: Harish S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Girish Chandra P
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Yajaman
authors.forename: Anitha S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000473:pathology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*
keywords: blunt chest trauma; coronary artery disease; coronary artery insufficiency; forensic pathology; forensic science; sudden death