We report here the case of a 53-year-old man who suddenly fell to the ground after being involved in a physical aggression by two younger men. Forensic autopsy revealed no significant injury except for slight, pale abrasions on the face. There were extensive signs of hypertensive and severe coronary artery atherosclerosis, corresponding to the data available from clinical history. The cause of death was established as acute myocardial ischemia due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, probably related to the physical and/or emotional stress due to the aggression. We discuss medico-legal aspects of the death.
De Giorgio, F., Arena, V., Arena, E., Lodise, M., Vetrugno, G., Capelli, A., Pascali, V. L., Homicide by heart attack?, <<LEGAL MEDICINE>>, 2009; (Aprile): 531-532 [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/10925]
Homicide by heart attack?
De Giorgio, Fabio;Arena, Vincenzo;Arena, Elisa;Lodise, Maria;Vetrugno, Giuseppe;Capelli, Arnaldo;Pascali, Vincenzo Lorenzo
2009
Abstract
We report here the case of a 53-year-old man who suddenly fell to the ground after being involved in a physical aggression by two younger men. Forensic autopsy revealed no significant injury except for slight, pale abrasions on the face. There were extensive signs of hypertensive and severe coronary artery atherosclerosis, corresponding to the data available from clinical history. The cause of death was established as acute myocardial ischemia due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, probably related to the physical and/or emotional stress due to the aggression. We discuss medico-legal aspects of the death.
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