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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Patil A, Kumar B. Deciding the Cause of Death in a Victim of a Road Traffic Accident Became Difficult Due to Interventions: A Case Report. Cureus 2023; 15:e33716. [PMID: 36788911 PMCID: PMC9922197 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Though uncommon, puncture injury to the heart can occur during cardiac resuscitation and when inserting a lifesaving drug directly into the left ventricle of the heart. Utmost precaution must be taken to avoid damaging the conduction system of the heart, particularly the nodal part, as it can cause cardiogenic shock, arrhythmia, and sudden death. Our index case report describes a 55-year-old male who was fatally injured after being hit by a truck while riding his bike. The autopsy revealed multiple puncture injuries to the atrioventricular node area of the septum, observed on both sides of the interatrial septal wall surface. Histopathological examination also showed subendocardial hemorrhage around the atrioventricular nodal area. The nature of the injuries made identification of the cause of death difficult.
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Yu B, Xu C, Tang X, Liu Z, Lin X, Meng H, Shi C, Ma K, Xiao B, Li L. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-related secretory proteins as biomarkers of early myocardial ischemia-induced sudden cardiac deaths. Int J Legal Med 2021; 136:159-168. [PMID: 34580752 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02702-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Early myocardial ischemia-induced sudden cardiac deaths (EMI-SCD) remain a great diagnostic challenge for forensic pathologists due to no gross or non-specific histological pathology. The goal of this study was to assess whether three secretory proteins, related with cellular endoplasmic reticulum stress, can be applied in forensic diagnosis of EMI-SCD. These markers included LMAN2, CAPN-1, and VCP and were compared with two clinically used markers (CK-MB and cTnI). A total of 21 EMI-SCD cases with a mean age of 53.0 (± 10.5) years and a mean ischemia interval of < 2.77 (± 2.56) hours were collected. Another 23 cases (mean 44.6 ± 15.0 year old) that died from non-cardiac causes served as control. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect target proteins' serum concentrations in the EMI-SCD and control groups. We found that LMAN2, CAPN-1, and VCP were all significantly increased in the EMI-SCD group as compared with control serum, with the fold changes ranging from 1.48 (p = 0.0022, LMAN2), 1.33 (p = 0.041, CAPN-1), to 1.26 (p = 0.021, VCP), respectively. The concentrations of these proteins remained highly stable within 6 h and were not affected by death time, postmortem interval (< 4 h), age, and month at death. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.8178 (LMAN2), 0.6988 (CAPN-1), and 0.7267 (VCP), all of which were higher than CK-MB (AUC 0.5590) and cTn-I (AUC 0.5911). The diagnostic specificity (all above 60%) was obviously higher than CK-MB (43.48%) and cTnI (34.78%). In conclusion, LMAN-2, CAPN-1, and VCP could be stable serological biomarkers for diagnosis of EMI-SCD cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bokang Yu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenchao Xu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinru Tang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Lin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Meng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Cheng Shi
- Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Hongkou Branch of Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai, 200434, China
| | - Kaijun Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Bi Xiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Liliang Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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Sposato LA, Hilz MJ, Aspberg S, Murthy SB, Bahit MC, Hsieh CY, Sheppard MN, Scheitz JF. Post-Stroke Cardiovascular Complications and Neurogenic Cardiac Injury: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 76:2768-2785. [PMID: 33272372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over 1.5 million deaths worldwide are caused by neurocardiogenic syndromes. Furthermore, the consequences of deleterious brain-heart interactions are not limited to fatal complications. Cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and nonfatal coronary syndromes are also common. The brain-heart axis is implicated in post-stroke cardiovascular complications known as the stroke-heart syndrome, sudden cardiac death, and Takotsubo syndrome, among other neurocardiogenic syndromes. Multiple pathophysiological mechanisms with the potential to be targeted with novel therapies have been identified in the last decade. In the present state-of-the-art review, we describe recent advances in the understanding of anatomical and functional aspects of the brain-heart axis, cardiovascular complications after stroke, and a comprehensive pathophysiological model of stroke-induced cardiac injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano A Sposato
- Heart & Brain Laboratory, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Max J Hilz
- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Sara Aspberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Santosh B Murthy
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Department of Neurology, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York. https://twitter.com/san_murthy
| | - M Cecilia Bahit
- INECO Neurociencias Oroño, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. https://twitter.com/ceciliabahit
| | - Cheng-Yang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, Tainan Sin Lau Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. https://twitter.com/chengyanghsieh
| | - Mary N Sheppard
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan F Scheitz
- Klinik für Neurologie mit Experimenteller Neurologie and Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislaufforschung), partner site Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany. https://twitter.com/Jan_FriSch
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Javalkar V, Amireh A, Kelley RE. Neurological complications of syncope and sudden cardiac arrest. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 177:189-192. [PMID: 33632438 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819814-8.00025-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Syncope is very common and usually comes with enough warning for the person to assume a safer position rather than fall in a potentially dangerous way. Syncope may be associated with pregnancy, for example, but we rarely encounter significant injury related to the potential for an associated fall. In the elderly, however, there are often comorbid factors such as delayed reaction time and other aspects of cognitive impairment, along with gait instability, that can affect the defensive reflexes to the point that brain injury, including subdural or epidural hematoma, is not uncommonly encountered. Sudden syncope without warning can also have both neurological and general physical implications in terms of driving safety, safety operating potentially dangerous equipment or exposure to heights as well as the potential impact for drowning or near-drowning while swimming or taking a bath. Sudden death, from whatever the mechanism, implies cerebral hypoperfusion with the potential consequences of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayakumar Javalkar
- Department of Neurology, Ochsner/Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Abdallah Amireh
- Department of Neurology, Ochsner/Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Roger E Kelley
- Department of Neurology, Ochsner/Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States.
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Arastoo S, Haptonstall KP, Choroomi Y, Moheimani R, Nguyen K, Tran E, Gornbein J, Middlekauff HR. Acute and chronic sympathomimetic effects of e-cigarette and tobacco cigarette smoking: role of nicotine and non-nicotine constituents. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H262-H270. [PMID: 32559135 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00192.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (ECs) and tobacco cigarettes (TCs) both release nicotine, a sympathomimetic drug. We hypothesized that baseline heart rate variability (HRV) and hemodynamics would be similar in chronic EC and TC smokers and that after acute EC use, changes in HRV and hemodynamics would be attributable to nicotine, not non-nicotine, constituents in EC aerosol. In 100 smokers, including 58 chronic EC users and 42 TC smokers, baseline HRV and hemodynamics [blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR)] were compared. To isolate the acute effects of nicotine vs. non-nicotine constituents in EC aerosol, we compared changes in HRV, BP, and HR in EC users after using an EC with nicotine (ECN), EC without nicotine (EC0), nicotine inhaler (NI), or sham vaping (control). Outcomes were also compared with TC smokers after smoking one TC. Baseline HRV and hemodynamics were not different in chronic EC users and TC smokers. In EC users, BP and HR, but not HRV outcomes, increased only after using the ECN, consistent with a nicotine effect on BP and HR. Similarly, in TC smokers, BP and HR but not HRV outcomes increased after smoking one TC. Despite a similar increase in nicotine, the hemodynamic increases were significantly greater after TC smokers smoked one TC compared with the increases after EC users used the ECN. In conclusion, chronic EC and TC smokers exhibit a similar pattern of baseline HRV. Acute increases in BP and HR in EC users are attributable to nicotine, not non-nicotine, constituents in EC aerosol. The greater acute pressor effects after TC compared with ECN may be attributable to non-nicotine, combusted constituents in TC smoke.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic electronic cigarette (EC) users and tobacco cigarette (TC) smokers exhibit a similar level of sympathetic nerve activity as estimated by heart rate variability. Acute increases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate in EC users are attribute to nicotine, not non-nicotine, constituents in EC aerosol. Acute TC smoking increased BP significantly more than acute EC use, despite similar increases in plasma nicotine, suggestive of additional adverse vascular effects attributable to combusted, non-nicotine constituents in TC smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Arastoo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kacey P Haptonstall
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yasmine Choroomi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Roya Moheimani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kevin Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elizabeth Tran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jeffrey Gornbein
- Departments of Medicine and Computational Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Holly R Middlekauff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Siniscalchi A, Scaglione F, Sanzaro E, Iemolo F, Albertini G, Quirino G, Manes MT, Gratteri S, Mercuri NB, De Sarro G, Gallelli L. Effects of phenobarbital and levetiracetam on PR and QTc intervals in patients with post-stroke seizure. Clin Drug Investig 2015; 34:879-86. [PMID: 25385363 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-014-0243-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Sudden unexplained/unexpected death (SUDEP) is related to high mortality in patients with epilepsy. The prolongation of QT interval, involved in cardiac arrhythmia-related SUDEP, may be precipitated by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In this study, we evaluated the effects of phenobarbital and levetiracetam on PR-QTc intervals in patients with post-stroke seizures. METHODS We performed an open-label, parallel group, prospective, multicenter study between June 2009 and December 2013 in patients older than 18 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of post-stroke seizure and treated with phenobarbital or levetiracetam. In order to exclude a role of cerebral post-stroke injury on modulation of PR and QTc intervals, patients with cerebral post-stroke injury and without seizures were also enrolled as controls. RESULTS Interictal electrocardiography analysis revealed no significant difference in PR interval between patients treated with an AED (n = 49) and control patients (n = 50) (181.25 ± 12.05 vs. 182.4 ± 10.3 ms; p > 0.05). In contrast, a significantly longer QTc interval was recorded in patients treated with an AED compared with control patients (441.2 ± 56.6 vs. 396.8 ± 49.3 ms; p < 0.01). Patients treated with phenobarbital showed a significantly longer QTc interval than patients treated with levetiracetam (460.0 ± 57.2 vs. 421.5 ± 50.1 ms; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The study reported that in patients with late post-stroke seizures, phenobarbital prolonged QTc interval more so than levetiracetam.
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"I'm afraid I have bad news for you …." Alcohol contributes to the occurrence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and years lost. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 36:131-2. [PMID: 24907499 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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