Gross Heart Dimensions From Postmortem Computed Tomography and Postmortem Examination Measurements: Heart Weight and Cardiac Hypertrophy.

ABSTRACT: An increased heart weight (cardiac hypertrophy) is associated with underlying heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Gross heart dimensions can be used to estimate heart weight as a surrogate for cardiac hypertrophy. These dimensions can be obtained from either postmortem computed tomography or postmortem examination. This study compared the gross heart dimensions, heart weight estimations, and ability to determine cardiac hypertrophy (>400 and >500 g) between these 2 methods. The results showed that gross dimensions from postmortem computed tomography were significantly smaller and overall had less accuracy in estimating heart weight than dissection. In terms of cardiac hypertrophy, both methods were comparable and had reasonably high sensitivity and specificity, albeit having slightly varied characteristics, to determine whether the heart showed hypertrophy.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug and poison-related deaths in Gold Coast, Australia.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is postulated to impact drug- and poison-related deaths. America has reported an increased in drug-related deaths, whereas Australia has reported a decline. Regional studies are scant and may not mirror national data. Characterising drug and poison-related deaths during COVID-19 at a regional level would inform local interventions and policies on the current and future pandemics. METHODS: A 4-year retrospective study from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) and from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (COVID-19 pandemic) of all drug and poison-related deaths admitted to the Gold Coast University Hospital under Coronial investigation. RESULTS: Drug and poison-related deaths increased in both the proportion and absolute numbers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no statistical difference in age, sex, location of death, manner of death and classification of drugs and poison implicated. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is an increase in drug and poison-related deaths, the overall demographic and pattern have not changed. Further studies to account for the variation may enable implementation of targeted public health interventions to address the burden of related deaths in regional settings in the context of future pandemics.

Focal dissection and rupture of left atherosclerotic subclavian artery: a rare cause of haemothorax.

We report a rare case of a focally dissected and ruptured atherosclerotic left subclavian artery leading to haemothorax. A man in his 50 s who suffered from hypertension and gout was found dead in bed unexpectedly. Postmortem examination showed a focally dissected and ruptured atherosclerotic left subclavian artery with relatively disease-free aorta and major branches. Although theoretically possible, focal atherosclerosis of left subclavian artery compounded by hypertension causing focal dissection and rupture is not previously reported in literature.

Significant difference in cardiac ventricular dimensions when measured using two different standard methods.

Cardiac ventricular dimensions measured at postmortem examination are used to assess whether there is hypertrophy of the heart chambers. However, there is no clear consensus on where these measurements should be taken. Some have proposed this should be measured at the mid-ventricular level, but others advocate it should be measured at a set distance (e.g. 20 mm) from the base of the heart. Twenty consecutive adult hearts were examined and showed the ventricular dimensions were significantly higher (mean: 5-15 mm, p < 0.01) when measured at a level 20 mm from the base of the heart compared to the mid-ventricular level. Of clinical significance is that in slightly less than half the cases, normal ventricular dimensions at mid ventricle level fell within the criteria considered pathological (> 40 mm) when measured at 20 mm from the base of the heart. In terms of actual ventricular dimensions, only the left ventricle diameter measured at 20 mm from the base of the heart correlated significantly (albeit moderately) with heart weight, suggesting it can be a predictor for cardiac hypertrophy.