title: Sudden death by rupture of a varicose vein: Case report and review of literature.
abstract: Venous disease, including varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, is one of the most common chronic medical conditions. Haemorrhage from rupture of varicose veins in the legs is rare and can lead to sudden death. Nevertheless, this condition is not included among the causes of sudden death. In this case, an 88-year-old man was found dead in a large pool of blood at home. Initially, investigators mistakenly assumed that it was a case of homicide. Bloodstain pattern analysis was performed. An external examination of the victim showed an ulcer on the left foot and evident varicose veins untreated on the lower limbs. The aim of this study is to emphasize the role of treatment of varicose veins in the prevention of adverse events such as sudden death from acute haemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aquila
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Santo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gratteri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Nunzio
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietrantonio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ricci
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000473:pathology*; D058734:Exsanguination / Q000209:etiology; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*
keywords: Haemorrhage; sudden death; varicose vein