Early Repolarization, Acute Emotional Stress and Sudden Death

• NCJ Number: 246875
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 836-840
• Author(s): Cristian Palmiere M.D.; Maria del Mar Lesta M.D.; Jessica Vanhaebost M.D.; Patrice Mangin Ph.D.; Marc Augsburger Ph.D.; Pierre Vogt M.D.
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

We herein report the case of a 36-year-old man who died suddenly after a fight with another man.

Abstract

We herein report the case of a 36-year-old man who died suddenly after a fight with another man. Forensic investigations included unenhanced computed tomography, postmortem angiography, autopsy, histology, neuropathology, toxicology, and biochemistry and allowed a traumatic cause of death to be excluded. An electrocardiogram recorded some years prior to death revealed the presence of an early repolarization pattern. Based on the results of all investigations, the cause of death was determined to be cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest during an emotionally stressful event associated with physical assault. Direct third party involvement, however, was excluded, and the manner of death was listed as natural. The case was not pursued any further by the public prosecutor. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.