Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vascular, Cardiac Valve, and Metabolic Diseases

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Forensic Histopathology

  • 1766 Accesses

Abstract

Potentially fatal diseases include vascular diseases, diseases of the cardiac valves, and metabolic disorders, many of which can only be identified or ruled out histopathologically. Arteriosclerosis is the most common vascular disease, and ruptured aortic aneurysms (rarely, coronary artery aneurysms) are often acutely fatal; on the other hand, inflammation or other vascular disorders (idiopathic cystic medial necrosis, syphilitic aortitis, primary coronary arteritis, coronary arteritis, Takayasu’s arteritis) are rarer. While primary vascular diseases are seen, drug-induced vasculitis is extremely rare. Congenital vascular anomalies such as arteriovenous malformations (Osler–Weber–Rendu syndrome) may remain undetected until death. Only occasionally can preexisting collagenosis be discussed as the cause of death (Marfan syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome), with the same applying to hemochromatosis. In the case of endocarditis, histopathology can contribute to determining the etiology of the disease and identifying bacterial ulcerative endocarditis, possibly with septic microembolisms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adés LC, Waltham RD, Chiodo AA, Baterman JF (1995) Myocardial infarction resulting from coronary artery dissection in an adolescent with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV due to a type III collagen mutation. Br Heart J 74:112–116

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ainsworth RW, Gresham GA (1961) Giant cell aortitis with rupture of the aorta. J Pathol Bacteriol 82:203–205

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Althoff H (1990) Zur Ätiopathogenese der infantilen Koronarsklerose beim sog. Kawasaki-Syndrom. Pathologe 11:41–47

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amano J, Suzuki A (1991) Coronary artery involvement in Takayasu’s arteritis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 102:554–560

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amine ARC (1997) Neurosurgical complications of heroin addiction: brain abscess and mycotic aneurysm. Surg Neurol 7:385–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Anagnostopoulos CE, Manakavalan JS, Kittle CF (1972) Aortic dissections and dissecting aneurysms. Am J Cardiol 30:263–273

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aru GM, English WP, Netherland D, Heath BJ (1999) Internal thoracic artery rupture in a child with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 117:1021–1022

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashrafi AH, Wang J, Stockwell CA, Lloyd D, McAlvin JB, Russo P, Shehata BM (2007) Kawasaki disease: four case reports of cardiopathy with an institutional and literature review. Pediatr Dev Pathol 10:491–499

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aufderheide A, Henke B, Parker E (1981) Granulomatous coronary arteritis (Takayasu disease). Arch Pathol Lab Med 105:647–649

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • August C, Holzhausen HJ (1992) Isolierte Koronararteriitis – Fallbericht und Nomenklaturdiskussion. Pathologe 13:280–285

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banaschak S, Driever F, Nerlich A, Madea B (2002) Aortenruptur bei einem 18-jährigen Mann. Postmortale Diagnose eines Ehlers-Danlos-Syndroms Typ IV. Rechtsmedizin 12:153–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbesier M, Duncanson ER, Mackey-Bojack SM, Roe SJ, Thomas LC (2013) Sudden death due to spontaneous acute dissection of the left subclavian artery with rupture during postpartum period: a case report. Int J Legal Med 127:453–457

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bayer Kristensen I, Østergaard Kristensen B (1994) Sudden death caused by thrombosed coronary artery aneurysm. Two unusual cases of Kawasaki disease. Int J Legal Med 106:277–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bode-Jänisch S, Schmidt A, Günther D, Stuhrmann M, Fieguth A (2012) Aortic dissection aneurysm – histopathological findings. Forensic Sci Int 214:13–17

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bratzke H, Wojahn H (1977) Spontane Aortenrupturen aus gerichtsmedizinischer Sicht. Z Rechtsmed 79:159–182

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Breer S, Amling M, Püschel K, Klein A, Schulz F, Zustin J (2012) Ochronose. Rechtsmedizin 22:49–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brinkmann B (1974) Zur Histomorphologie und Begutachtung zweizeitiger Aortenrupturen. Z Rechtsmed 74:235–243

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burman JO (1960) Medial degeneration and its relation to dissecting aneurysm. Int Abstr Surg 110:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Byard RW (2006) Sudden death in Marfan syndrome. In: Tsokos M (ed) Forensic pathology reviews, vol 4. Humana Press, Totowa, pp 93–106

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Byard RW, Keeley FW, Smith CR (1990) Type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome presenting as sudden infant death. Am J Clin Pathol 93:579–582

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byard RW, Schliebs J, Koszyca BA (2001) Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome – pathological manifestations and autopsy considerations. J Forensic Sci 46:698–701

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byard RW, Gilbert JD, Langlois NEI (2017) Spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 13:248–251

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cambria RP, Brewster DC, Gertler J, Moncure AC, Gusberg R, Tilson MD, Darling RC, Hammond G, Mergerman J, Abbott WM (1988) Vascular complications associated with spontaneous aortic dissection. J Vasc Surg 7:199–209

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canino-Rodriguez A, Cox RA (2008) Giant coronary aneurysms in a young adult patient with Kawasaki disease. P R Health Sci J 27:382–386

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson RG, Lillehei CW, Edwards JE (1970) Cystic medial necrosis of the ascending aorta in relation to age and hypertension. Am J Cardiol 25:411–415

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cassling RS, Lortz JB, Olson DR, Hubbard TF, McManus BM (1985) Fatal vasculitis (periarteritis nodosa) of the coronary arteries: angiographic ambiguities and absence of aneurysms at autopsy. J Am Coll Cardiol 6:707–714

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohle SD, Lie JT (1988) Inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta with coronary arteritis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 112:1121–1125

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohle SD, Titus JL, Espinola A, Hachimczyk A (1982) Sudden unexpected death due to coronary giant cell arteritis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 106:171–172

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collins MH, Schwarze U, Carpentieri DF, Kaplan P, Nathanson K, Meyer JS, Byers PH (1999) Multiple vascular and bowel ruptures in an adolescent male with sporadic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2:86–93

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cosgrave GE Jr, Watts JC, Kaump DH (1947) Spontaneous rupture of splenic arterial aneurysms: report of three cases. Am J Clin Pathol 17:372–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Ovidio C, Sablone S, Carnevale A (2015) Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: case report and literature review. J Forensic Sci 60:801–806

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dermengiu S, Ceausu M, Hostiuc S, Curca GC, Dermengiu D, Turculet C (2009) Spontaneous aortic dissection due to cystic medial degeneration. Report of a sudden death and review of the literature. Rom J Leg Med 17:89–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desinan L, Scott CA, Piai I, Mazzolo GM (2010) Sudden death due to spontaneous rupture in splenic artery atypical dissection with features of vasculitis: case report and review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 200:e1–e5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dettmeyer R, Amberg R, Varchmin-Schultheiß K, Madea B (1998a) Sudden cardiac death due to atypical isolated coronary arteritis? Forensic Sci Int 95:193–200

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dettmeyer R, Schmidt P, Madea B (1998b) Two cases of unexpected sudden death due to cystic medianecrosis of the aorta associated with bloodless aortic dissection. Forensic Sci Int 94:161–166

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dettmeyer R, Stiel M, Madea B (2006) Chlamydial heat-shock protein 60. A marker for chronic infection with chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerosis: investigation of atherosclerotic coronary arteries by immunocytochemistry. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2:173–178

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dickens P, Khoo US (1993) Sudden death associated with bloodless aortic dissection. Forensic Sci Int 59:149–155

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dröber J, Buschmann CT, Blechschmidt C, Martin H, Tsokos M (2010) Kardiale Amyloidose als Ursache eines plötzlichen Todes. Rechtsmedizin 20:278–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eplinius F, Hädrich C (2014) Acute aortic dissection caused by Clostridium septicum aortitis. Forensic Sci Int 244:e38–e41

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erbersdobler A, Tsokos M (2006) Sudden, unexpected death resulting from a giant coronary artery aneurysm. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2:199–201

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erdheim J (1929a) Medianecrosis aortae idiopathica. Virchows Arch Pathol Anat Physiol 273:454–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erdheim J (1929b) Medionecrosis aortae indiopathica cystica. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol 276:187–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen UH, Aunsholt NA, Nielsen TT (1992) Enormous right coronary artery aneurysm in a patient with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Int J Cardiol 35:259–261

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evans RH, Fraser AG (1996) Spontaneous coronary artery rupture and cardiac tamponade in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Int J Cardiol 54:283–286

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fineschi V, Paglicci Reatelli L, Baroldi G (1999) Coronary artery aneurysms in a young adult: a case of sudden death. A late sequelae of Kawasaki disease? Int J Legal Med 112:120–123

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frank S, Johnson A, Ross J Jr (1973) Natural history of valvular aortic stenosis. Br Heart J 35:41–46

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frank MW, Mehlman DJ, Tsai F, Lomasney JW, Joob AW (1999) Syphilitic aortitis. Circulation 100:1582–1583

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Früchtnicht W, Albrecht R (1998) Aneurysma des Ductus Botalli bei einem 6 Wochen alt gewordenen Säugling. In: 7th spring meeting of the German Society of Forensic Medicine, Bonn, 5–6 June 1998

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujita M, Abe A, Itoh T, Saitoh K, Noguchi M, Sano K, Fujiioka Y, Nagashima K (1992) Nonarthritic rheumatoid valvulitis with coronary arteritis causing myocardial infarction. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol 420:109–112

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galtés I, Borondo JC, Cos M, Subirana M, Martín C, Castellà J, Medallo J (2012) Traumatic bilateral vertebral artery dissection. Forensic Sci Int 214:e12–e15

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gertz MA (1992) Familial amyloidosis and the heart. Arch Intern Med 166:1805–1813

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilchrist ER, Duflou JA (2005) Incidental myocardial infarction in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV? J Forensic Sci 50:461–464

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glenewinkel F, Schmidt P, Arnold G, Henßge C (1996) Plötzlicher Tod beim subtotalen Verschluß des rechten Koronarostiums durch eine Mesaortitis luica. Rechtsmedizin 6:49–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Gore I (1953) Dissecting aneurysm of the aorta in persons under forty years of age. Arch Pathol 5:1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Gormsen H (1984) Postmortem diagnosis of syphilitic aortitis, including serological verification on postmortem blood. Forensic Sci Int 24:51–56

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gravanis MB (2000) Giant cell arteritis and Takayasu aortitis: morphologic, pathogenic and etiologic factors. Int J Cardiol 75(Suppl):S21–S33

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gsell O (1928) Wandnekrosen der Aorta als selbständige Erkrankung und ihre Beziehung zur Spontanruptur. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol 276:1–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Guitierrez PS, Correia de Almeida I, Nader HB, de Lourdes HM, Stolf N, Dietrich CP (1991) Decrease in sulphated glycosaminoglycans in aortic dissection – possible role in the pathogenesis. Cardiovasc Res 25:742–748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagemeier L, Unkrig S, Madea B (2009) Dissezierendes Milzarterienaneurysma bei fibromuskulärer Dysplasie. Rechtsmedizin 19:21–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halpern M, Citron BP (1971) Necrotizing angiitis associated with drug abuse. Am J Roentgenol 111:663–671

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hassan W, Al-Sergani MW et al (2005) Amyloid heart disease. New frontiers and insights in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. Tex Heart Inst J 32:178–184

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hirani R, Koszyca B, Byard RW (2008) Marfan syndrome and sudden death within a family – aetiologic, molecular and diagnostic issues at autopsy. J Forensic Legal Med 15:205–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirst AE, Gore J (1976) Is cystic medianecrosis the cause of dissecting aorta aneurysms? Circulation 53:915–916

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann B, Mayatepek E (2009) Fabry disease – often seen, rarely diagnosed. Dtsch Arztebl Int 106:440–447

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Horton BT, Magath TB, Browne GE (1932) An undescribed form of arteritis of the temporal vessels. Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin 7:700–701

    Google Scholar 

  • Hugar BS, Praveen S, Kainoor SK, Shetty ARS (2014) Sudden death in Marfan Syndrome. J Forensic Sci 59:1126–1128

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hushang M, Payan MD, Enid F, Gilbert MD (1984) Granulomatous coronary arteritis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 108:136–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Inokuchi G, Hayakawa M, Kishimoto T, Makino Y, Iwase H (2014) A suspected case of coronary periarteritis due to IgG4-related disease as a cause of ischemic heart disease. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 10:103–108

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa T, Pollak S, Pflugradt R, Bohnert M, Große Perdekamp M, Thierauf A, Maeda H (2010) Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation causing sudden death due to spontaneous hemothorax. Int J Legal Med 124:459–465

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston SL, Lock RJ, Gompels MM (2002) Takayasu arteritis: a review. J Clin Pathol 55:481–486

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Judge DP, Dietz HC (2005) Marfan’s syndrome. Lancet 366:1965–1976

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jung H, Lostun A, Matei DB (2013) Coronary artery dissection as cause of sudden death. Rom J Leg Med 21:85–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jungmann L, Bohnert M, Schmidt U, Pollak S (2010) Plötzlicher Tod durch spontane Aortenruptur: zwei ungewöhnliche Manifestationensformen. Arch Kriminol 226:55–65

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser C, Schnabel A, Berkefeld J, Bratzke H (2008) Traumatic rupture of the intracranial vertebral artery due to rotational acceleration. Forensic Sci Int 182:e15–e17

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kajihara H, Tachiyama Y, Hirose T, Takata A, Saito K, Murai T, Yasui W (2013) Eosinophilic coronary periarteritis (vasospastic angina and sudden death), a new type of coronary arteritis: report of seven autopsy cases and a review of the literature. Virchows Arch 462:239–248

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karayel F, Ozaslan A, Turan AA, Pakis I, Ketenc C, Eroglu AG (2006) Sudden death in infancy due to bicuspid aortic valve. J Forensic Sci 51:1147–1150

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karger B, Fechner G (2006) Sudden death due to giant cell coronary arteritis. Int J Legal Med 120:377–379

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawasaki T, Kosaki F, Okawa S, Shigematsu I, Yanagawa H (1974) A new infantile acute febrile mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS) prevailing in Japan. Pediatrics 54:271–276

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kieninger B, Eriksson M, Kandolf R, Schnabel PA, Schönland S, Kristen AV, Hegenbart U, Lohse P, Röcken C (2010) Amyloid in endomyocardial biopsies. Virchows Arch 456:523–532

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kimmelstiel P, Gilmour MT, Hodges HH (1952) Degeneration of elastic fibers in granulomatous giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis). Arch Pathol 54:157–168

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • King J, Richards M, Tress B (1978) Cerebral arteritis associated with heroin abuse. Med J Aust 2:444–445

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kinnane J, Priebe C, Caty M, Kuppermann N (1995) Perforation of the colon in an adolescent girl. Pediatr Emerg Care 11:230–232

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klintschar M, Stiller D (2004) Sudden cardiac death in hereditary hemochromatosis: an underestimated cause of death? Int J Legal Med 118:174–177

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klintschar M, Bilkenroth U, Arslan-Kirchner M, Schmidke J, Stiller D (2009) Marfan syndrome: clinical consequences resulting from a medicolegal autopsy of a case of sudden death due to aortic rupture. Int J Legal Med 123:55–58

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kodikara S, Sivasubramanium M (2009) Bilateral pulmonary artery aneurysms. Legal Med 11:S496–S497

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer BF, Seizer P, Geisler T, Klingel K, Kandolf R, Lindemann S, Gawaz M (2009) Persistent troponin elevation in a patient with cardiac amyloidosis. Clin Cardiol 32:E39–E42

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kristoffersen S, Vetti N, Morild I (2012) Traumatic dissection of the vertebral artery in a toddler following a short fall. Forensic Sci Int 221:e34–e38

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krompecher T, Saraga EP, Gardiol G (1984) Plötzlicher Tod aus natürlicher Ursache: Isolierter Befall eines Herzkranzgefäßes durch eine Arteriitis vom Typ Takayasu. Beitr Gerichtl Med 42:155–163

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar P, Velissaris T, Sheppard MN, Pepper JR (2002) Giant cell arteritis confined to intramural coronary arteries. Unforeseen hazards myocardial protection. Cardiovasc Surg 43:647–649

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Landing BH, Larson EJ (1987) Pathological features of Kawasaki disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome). Am J Cardiovasc Pathol 1:218–229

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lau G (2002) Fatal pulmonary haemorrhage from a perforated and possibly iatrogenic thoracic aortic aneurysm. Forensic Sci Int 126:167–170

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leu HJ (1993) Spontane dissezierende Aneurysmen von Arterien des muskulären Bautyps infolge mukoider Mediadegeneration (mediolytische Arteriopathie). Pathologe 14:325–329

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leu AJ, Leu HJ (1988) Eigenartige bandförmige Degeneration der Aortenmedia als Ursache multipler Aneurysmata der Aorta thoracalis und abdominalis. Pathologe 9:366–369

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Li L, Mu HS, Fan SL, He FG, Wang ZY (2015) Aortic dissection and sudden unexpected deaths: a retrospective study of 31 forensic autopsy cases. J Forensic Sci 60:1206–1211

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lie JT (1987) Coronary vasculitis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 111:224–233

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lie JT (1992) Segmental mediolytic arteritis. Not an arteritis but a variant of arterial fibromuscular dysplasia. Arch Pathol Lab Med 116:238–241

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lupi-Herrera E, Sanchez-Torres G, Marcushamer J, Mispireta J, Horwitz S, Vela JE (1977) Takayasu’s arteritis: clinical study of 107 cases. Am Heart J 93:94–103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch MJ, Woodford NWF, Dodd MJ (2008) Sudden death due to aortic rupture complicating undiagnosed coarctation of the aorta in a teenager – a case report and review of the literature. J Forensic Legal Med 15:443–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maeso Madronero JL, Aretz S, Theis U, Morgenroth K, Bergbauer M (2000) Aortenruptur bei idiopathischer Medianekrose Gsell-Erdheim. Dtsch Med Wschr 125:1195–1198

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magarey FR (1950) Aneurysm in giant-cell aortitis. Dissecting aneurysm due to giant-cell aortitis. J Pathol Bact 62:445–447

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Makino Y, Inokuchi G, Yokota H, Hayakawa M, Yajima D, Motomura A, Chiba F, Torimitsu S, Nakatani Y, Iwase H (2015) Sudden death due to coronary artery dissection associated with fibromuscular dysplasia revealed by postmortem selective computed tomography coronary angiography: a case report. Forensic Sci Int 253:e10–e15

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin JF, Kittas C, Triger DR (1980) Giant cell arteritis of coronary arteries causing myocardial infarction. Br Heart J 43:487–489

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell ME, Hannon DW, Steed RD, Gilliland MG (1998) Fatal obliterative coronary vasculitis in Kawasaki disease. J Pediatr 133:259–261

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Melsen F (1973) Spontaneous rupture of the aorta in the Marfan’s syndrome. Z Rechtsmed 73:53–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merlini G (2003) Molecular mechanism of amyloidosis. N Engl J Med 349:583–596

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merrell SW, Gloviczki P (1992) Splenic artery dissection: a case report and review of the literature. J Vasc Surg 15:221–225

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Missliwetz J, Reiter C, Winter RE (1981) Differential diagnosis of Kawasaki syndrome. Beitr Gerichtl Med 39:307–316

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchinson MJ, Wight DJD, Arno J (1984) Chronic coronary periarteritis in two patients with coronary periaortitis. J Clin Pathol 37:32–36

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murai T, Kuroda N, Shinozuka T, Kurihara K, Yanagida J, Watanabe H, Saito K, Maurai N, Imai M (1989) Coronary aneurysms in a young adult: report of a case suspected of Kawasaki’s disease. Med Sci Law 29:59–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morcos M, Alfiano M, Gompel A, Regnard J (2006) Life-threatening endometriosis-related hemopneumothorax. Ann Thorac Surg 82:726–729

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenthal S, Bayer R, Schneider E, Zachäus M, Röcken C, Dreßler J, Ondruschka B (2016) Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis with spontaneous fatal blood aspiration. Forensic Sci Int 262:e1–e4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naeve W, Brinkmann B (1971) Zur Begutachtung der Medianecrosis aortae idiopathica als Todesursache beim Sport. Z Rechtsmed 68:101–104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima K, Takeichi S, Nakajima Y, Fujita MQ (2010) Pokkuri death syndrome: sudden cardiac death cases without coronary atherosclerosis in South Asian young males. Forensic Sci Int 207(1–3):6–13

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nashima Y, Kurozumi T, Sueishi K, Tanaka K (1990) Dissecting aneurysms: a clinicopathologic and histopathologic study of 111 autopsied cases. Hum Pathol 21:291–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson DA, Ashley PF (1965) Rupture of the aorta during closed-chest cardiac massage. JAMA 193:681–683

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nerlich AG, Stöss H, Lehmann H, Krieg T, Müller PK (1994) Pathomorphological and biochemical alterations in Ehlers-Danlos-syndrome type IV. Pathol Res Pract 190:697–706

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niederau C, Fischer R, Sonnenberg A, Stremmel W, Trampisch HJ, Strohmeyer G (1985) Survival and causes of death in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients with primary hemochromatosis. N Engl J Med 313:1256–1262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norita K, de Noronha SV, Sheppard MN (2012) Sudden cardiac death caused by coronary vasculitis. Virchows Arch 460:309–318

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noth I, Strek ME, Leff AR (2003) Churg-Strauss-syndrome. Lancet 361:587–594

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ortmann C, Wüllenweber J, Brinkmann B, Fracasso T (2010) Fatal mycotic aneurysm caused by Pseudallescheria boydii after near drowning. Int J Legal Med 124:243–247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Owen SM, Durst RD (1984) Ehlers-Danlos syndrome simulating child abuse. Arch Dermatol 120:97–101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmiere C, Burkhardt S, Staub C, Hallenbarter M, Pizzolato G, Dettmeyer R, La Harpe R (2004) Thoracic aortic dissection associated with cocaine abuse. Forensic Sci Int 141:137–142

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Passen EL, Rodriguez R, Neumann A, Tan CD, Parillo JE (1996) Cardiac hemochromatosis. Circulation 94:2302

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson RH, Burns WA, Jannotta FS (1974) Complications of external cardiac resuscitation: a retrospective review and survey of the literature. Med Ann Dist Columbia 43:389–394

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paul RA, Helle MJ, Tarssanen LT (1990) Sudden death as sole symptom of coronary arteritis. Ann Med 22:161–162

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira MC, Filho AA, Lastoria S (1981) Inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta with coronary arteritis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 105:678–679

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pery C, Frenzel H, Schindler P (1983) Aortenruptur als seltene Komplikation der Riesenzell-Arteriitis. Pathologe 4:204–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Pourhassan S, Grotemeyer D, Klar V, Sandmann W (2007) Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome associated with multiple visceral arteries aneurysm. Vasa 36:124–129

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prahlow JA, Wagner SA (2005) Death due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 26:78–82

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reis ED, Martinet OD, Mosimann F (1998) Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus in an adolescent with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Eur J Surg 164:313–316

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rippberger T, Tröger HD, Schmidtke J (2009) The genetic message of sudden unexpected death due to thoracic aortic dissection. Forensic Sci Int 187:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Risse M, Weiler G (1987) Spontanes Aneurysma dissecans einer Kranzschlagader als seltene Ursache eines postpartalen Todes der Kindesmutter. Z Rechtsmed 99:143–150

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Risse M, Lasczkowski G, Dettmeyer R, Verhoff MA (2010) Spontane Aortenruptur ohne Dissektion. Plötzlicher Tod während der Schwangerschaft. Rechtsmedizin 20:34–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts DL, Pope FM, Nicholls AC, Narcisi P (1984) Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV mimicking non-accidental injury in a child. Br J Dermatol 111:341–345

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson EN, Hambly BD, Jeremy RW (2016) Thoracic aortic dissection and heritability: forensic implications. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 12:366–368

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Röcken C (2008) Pathologie der Amyloidose. Nephrologe 3:275–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Röcken C (2009) Update immunhistologischer Klassifikation der Amyloidose. Pathologe 30(suppl 2):121–123

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen N, Gaton E (1972) Takayasu’s arteritis of coronary arteries. Arch Pathol 94:225–229

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rottino A (1939) Medial degeneration of the aorta. A study of two hundred and ten routine autopsy specimens by a serial block method. Arch Pathol 28:377–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowley AH, Shulman ST (2010) Pathogenesis and management of Kawasaki disease. Expert Rev Anti-Infect Ther 8:197–203

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rozin L, Koehler SA, Shakir A, Ladham S, Wecht CH (2003) Kawasaki disease: a review of pathologic features of stage IV disease and two cases of sudden death among asymptomatic young adults. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 24:45–50

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saint-Martin P, Rogers C, Carpenter E, Fishbein MC, Lau S, Sathyavagiswaran L (2009) Subaortic pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle complicating staphylococcal endocarditis. J Forensic Sci 54:930–932

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salvarani C, Cantini F, Boiardi L, Hunder GG (2002) Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. N Engl J Med 347:261–271

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sariola H, Viljanen T, Luosto R (1986) Histological pattern and changes in extracellular matrix in aortic dissections. J Clin Pathol 39:1074–1081

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saruk M, Eisenstein R (1977) Aortic lesion in Marfan syndrome. The ultrastructure of cystic medial degeneration. Arch Pathol Lab Med 101:74–77

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saukko P, Knight B (2004) Knight’s forensic pathology, 3rd edn. Arnold, London, pp 492–526

    Google Scholar 

  • Saulsbury FT, Hayden GF (1985) Skin conditions simulating child abuse. Pediatr Emerg Care 1:147–150

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer H, Püschel K (1996) Proximale Aortitis als Ursache eines unerwarteten plötzlichen Herztodes bei einem Kleinkind. Pathologe 17:324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scharfman WB, Wallach JB, Angrist A (1950) Myocardial infarction due to syphilitic coronary ostial stenosis. Am Heart J 40:603–613

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schlatman TJM, Becker AE (1977) Pathogenesis of dissecting aneurysma of aorta. Comparative histopathologic study of significance of medial changes. Am J Cardiol 39:21–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt P, Madea B, Oehmichen M, Gerling I (1996) Plötzlicher Tod bei idiopathischer cystischer Medianekrose – Analyse von 6 Fällen unter Berücksichtigung arztrechtlicher Fragen. Rechtsmedizin 6:39–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt HP (1973) Die Bedeutung von Varianten im Bereich der Arteriae vertebrales und der Arteria basilaris für die forensische Medizin. Z Rechtsmed 73:23–28

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schnapka G, Dietze O, Propst A (1983) Morphometrische Untersuchungen bei idiopathischer Medianekrose. Pathologe 4:303–306

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schön C, Ramaswamy A, Barth PJ (2005) Churg-Strauss-Syndrom. Rechtsmedizin 15:173–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz TC (1989) Coronary artery aneurysms in a young adult. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 10:63–66

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schürch W (1970) Familäre dissezierende Aneurysmen der Aorta. Arch Kreislaufforsch 63:288–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seguchi M, Hino Y, Aiba S, Yasukohchi S, Momma K, Takao A, Endo M (1990) Ostial stenosis of the left coronary artery as a sole clinical manifestation of Takayasu’s arteritis: a possible cause of unexpected sudden death. Heart Vessel 5:188–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shields LBE, Rolf CM, Davis GJ, Hunsaker JC (2010) Sudden and unexpected death in three cases of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type IV. J Forensic Sci 55:1641–1645

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shields LBE, Burge M, Hunsaker JC (2012) Sudden death due to polyarteritis nodosa. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 8:290–295

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sorger K (1968) Über Veränderungen der Vasa vasorum bei Medianecrosis aortae. Virchows Arch Abt A Path Anat 345:107–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soucy P, Eidus L, Keeley F (1990) Perforation of the colon in an 15-year-old girl with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. J Pediatr Surg 25:1180–1182

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stegmann T (1987) Aortendissektion: Nicht mit dem Herzinfarkt verwechseln. Dtsch Ärztebl 84:282–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Srettabunjong S (2013) Spontaneous rupture of acute ascending aortic dissection in a young pregnant woman: a sudden unexpected death. Forensic Sci Int 232:e5–e8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sunagawa K, Mitsumata M, Ayusawa M, Kusumi Y (2008) Ruptured giant aneurysm of the left anterior descending coronary artery in Kawasaki disease. Pediatr Cardiol 29:1115–1119

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki A, Miyagawa-Tomita S, Nakazawa M, Yutani C (2000) Remodeling of coronary artery lesions due to Kawasaki disease: comparison of arteriographic and immunohistochemical findings. Jpn Heart J 41:245–256

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka N, Naoe S, Masuda H, Ueno T (1986) Pathological study of sequelae of Kawasaki disease (MCLS). With special reference to the heart and coronary arterial lesions. Acta Pathol Jpn 36:1513–1527

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka A, Fukajama M, Funata N, Koike M, Saito K (1988) Coronary arteritis and aortoarteritis in the elderly males. Virchows Arch A Path Anat Histopathol 414:9–14

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thierauf A, Preuss J, Dettmeyer R, Madea B (2007) Fatal rupture of an undiagnosed aneurysm of the splenic artery – medico-legal implications. Forensic Sci Int 171:133–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vock R, Schulz E (1986) Marfan syndrome. A case report. Z Rechtsmed 96:67–78

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • von Kodolitsch Y, Robinson PN (2007) Marfan syndrome: an update of genetics, medical and surgical management. Heart 93:755–760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner AD, Goronzy JJ, Weyand CM (1994) Functional profile of tissue-infiltrating and circulating CD68+ cells in giant cell arteritis: evidence for two components of the disease. J Clin Invest 94:1134–1140

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Thelmo WL, Axiotis CA (2002) Microscopic polyangiitis with massive myocardial necrosis and diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage. Virchows Arch 441:202–204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Chen S, Wang R, Huang S, Yyang M, Liu L, Liu Q (2016) Postmortem diagnosis of Marfan syndrome in a case of sudden death due to aortic rupture: detection of a novel FBN1 frameshift mutation. Forensic Sci Int 261:e1–e4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wimmer PJ, Howes DS, Rumoro DP, Carbone M (1996) Fatal vascular catastrophe in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a case report and review. J Emerg Med 14:25–31

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wood LE, Tulloh RM (2009) Kawasaki disease in children. Heart 95:787–792

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yonesaka S, Takahashi T, Furukawa H, Matubara T, Tomimoto K, Oura H, Nakada T, Sunagawa Y (1992) Histopathological analysis of myocardial damages following Kawasaki disease with repeated endomyocardial biopsy. Kokyu To Junkan 40:375–381

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshikawa H, Nomura Y, Masuda K, Hazeki D, Yotsumoto K, Arata M, Kamenosono A, Yanagi S, Yoshinaga M, Kawano Y (2006) Four cases of Kawasaki syndrome complicated with myocarditis. Circ J 70:202–205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yost BA, Vogelsang JP, Lie JT (1995) Fatal hemoptysis in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Chest 107:1465–1467

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yutani C, Go S, Kamiya T, Hirose O, Misava H, Maeda H, Kozuka T, Onishi S (1981) Cardiac biopsy of Kawasaki disease. Arch Pathol Lab Med 105:470–474

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zack F, Terpe H, Hammer U, Wegener R (1996) Fibromuscular dysplasia of coronary arteries as a rare cause of death. Int J Legal Med 108:215–218

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospital Giessen Institute of Forensic Medicine, Giessen, Germany

    Reinhard B. Dettmeyer

Authors
  1. Reinhard B. Dettmeyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Dettmeyer, R.B. (2018). Vascular, Cardiac Valve, and Metabolic Diseases. In: Forensic Histopathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77997-3_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77997-3_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-77996-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-77997-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation