Introduction: Autopsies in SARS-CoV-2 infected cadavers are mainly performed to distinguish patients who died with SARS-CoV-2 infection from those who died of COVID-19. The aim of the current study is to assess the most frequent autopsy findings in patients who died of COVID-19 and to establish an association with clinical records. Materials and methods: 60 patients died between April 2020 and March 2021 after SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent a full autopsy performed at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (Rome). Antemortem diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was microbiologically confirmed. Results: 55 (92%) of cases had at least a comorbidity. At microscopic examination, 40 (67%) of the patients presented pulmonary intravascular coagulation with an inflammatory pattern. Pulmonary microangiopathy was a rare finding (n = 8; 13%). Myocardiosclerosis was the main heart finding (n = 44; 73%). Liver involvement with congestion and hypotrophy was found in 33 (55%) of cadavers. Renal tubular epithelial exfoliation (n = 12; 20%) and intravascular coagulation (n = 4; 7%) were frequent observations. During hospitalization 31% of patients (n = 19) developed acute kidney injury (AKI). Conclusions: Lungs and kidneys have been shown to play a pivotal role in COVID-19. The gradual worsening of renal function and AKI might be the result of the progressive collapse of cardiopulmonary system.

Grassi, S., Arena, V., Zedda, M., Cazzato, F., Cianci, R., Gambassi, G., Oliva, A., What can autopsy say about COVID-19? A case series of 60 autopsies, <<LEGAL MEDICINE>>, 2023; (62): N/A-N/A [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/267234]

What can autopsy say about COVID-19? A case series of 60 autopsies

Grassi, Simone;Arena, Vincenzo;Zedda, Massimo;Cazzato, Francesca;Cianci, Rossella;Gambassi, Giovanni;Oliva, Antonio
2023

Abstract

Introduction: Autopsies in SARS-CoV-2 infected cadavers are mainly performed to distinguish patients who died with SARS-CoV-2 infection from those who died of COVID-19. The aim of the current study is to assess the most frequent autopsy findings in patients who died of COVID-19 and to establish an association with clinical records. Materials and methods: 60 patients died between April 2020 and March 2021 after SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent a full autopsy performed at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (Rome). Antemortem diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was microbiologically confirmed. Results: 55 (92%) of cases had at least a comorbidity. At microscopic examination, 40 (67%) of the patients presented pulmonary intravascular coagulation with an inflammatory pattern. Pulmonary microangiopathy was a rare finding (n = 8; 13%). Myocardiosclerosis was the main heart finding (n = 44; 73%). Liver involvement with congestion and hypotrophy was found in 33 (55%) of cadavers. Renal tubular epithelial exfoliation (n = 12; 20%) and intravascular coagulation (n = 4; 7%) were frequent observations. During hospitalization 31% of patients (n = 19) developed acute kidney injury (AKI). Conclusions: Lungs and kidneys have been shown to play a pivotal role in COVID-19. The gradual worsening of renal function and AKI might be the result of the progressive collapse of cardiopulmonary system.
2023
Inglese
Francese
Grassi, S., Arena, V., Zedda, M., Cazzato, F., Cianci, R., Gambassi, G., Oliva, A., What can autopsy say about COVID-19? A case series of 60 autopsies, <<LEGAL MEDICINE>>, 2023; (62): N/A-N/A [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/267234]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/267234
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