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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Collapse of 48 year old male
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Collapse of 48 year old male
by GYPZE, May 17, 2003 12:00AM
Could WPW be detected post-mortem?
Avid Long distance runner for 6 years.
Slightly enlarged heart ( congenital)
Possible use of fat burners and performance enhancers.
Was on lasix for high blood pressure.
No direct cause of death was reported on autopsy.
Tissue samples and blood work were taken for Toxicology.
Patient had mentioned chest pain, fatigue and leg pain
while running 8 months prior to collapse.
Enzymes were checked- all within normal limits.
EKG done-??
Any suggestions or clues???
Thank You!!!
Avid Long distance runner for 6 years.
Slightly enlarged heart ( congenital)
Possible use of fat burners and performance enhancers.
Was on lasix for high blood pressure.
No direct cause of death was reported on autopsy.
Tissue samples and blood work were taken for Toxicology.
Patient had mentioned chest pain, fatigue and leg pain
while running 8 months prior to collapse.
Enzymes were checked- all within normal limits.
EKG done-??
Any suggestions or clues???
Thank You!!!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, May 18, 2003 12:00AM
GYPZE,
Thanks for the post.
It might be possible with a meticulous anatomic exam to detect a bypass tract (a cause of WPW) on autopsy, but there are few pathologists who would be sufficiently interested or skilled to allow for this type of exam. An EKG obtained prior to the death, or at the time of collapse might allow for the diagnosis to be made.
Far and away the most common cause of sudden death in a 48 year-old male in the United States is ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF) from ischemic coronary artery disease. Given the extra history of possible congenital heart disease, the diagnosis of VT/VF is very, very likely. Death as the presenting feature of WPW is rare, especially in someone as old as 48 years.
Also, speaking to the pathologist who performed the autopsy may provide clues to the cause of death that were not listed in the report.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the post.
It might be possible with a meticulous anatomic exam to detect a bypass tract (a cause of WPW) on autopsy, but there are few pathologists who would be sufficiently interested or skilled to allow for this type of exam. An EKG obtained prior to the death, or at the time of collapse might allow for the diagnosis to be made.
Far and away the most common cause of sudden death in a 48 year-old male in the United States is ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF) from ischemic coronary artery disease. Given the extra history of possible congenital heart disease, the diagnosis of VT/VF is very, very likely. Death as the presenting feature of WPW is rare, especially in someone as old as 48 years.
Also, speaking to the pathologist who performed the autopsy may provide clues to the cause of death that were not listed in the report.
Hope that helps.
Related discussions
All Is helpful!
As most.... I wish there was something to bring him back!!
Respectfully,
GYPZE
Was your friend on any medication?
BTW, they were only told about the med and no bronchitis, because they knew examiner, even so he was hesitant to tell.
not sure what they were, possibly blood pressure meds.
Besides lasix.
I'm sorry about your friend also.
My friend was 48 yet he still seem so young and it was
so unexpected... I'm sure like your friend also.
Very tragic and painful... these losses are!
And very difficult to comprehend!