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Three intermediate-range shots from a Browning, model 1955, 7.65 mm caliber, pistol were fired from the driver’s seat of a car at a woman in the passenger seat. She sustained three wounds: An, ultimately fatal, penetrating head wound, a graze wound across her forehead, and a tangential, perforating, wound, with bullet entry over the medial sternum and exit through the right flank. Neither postmortem CT nor forensic autopsy discovered bony thoracic injuries or perforations of the thoracoabdominal cavities. There was pulmonary contusion in the medial lobe of the right lung and hemorrhage in the adipose tissue around the right kidney. The tangential bullet had left an almost 40-cm-long wound channel through a pronounced layer of subcutaneous fat. Based on 3D reconstructed CT-data determinations, a straight bullet trajectory between entry and exit wounds would have traversed the abdominothoracic cavities, right lung, and liver. The actual trajectory, however, described a prominent curve, without signs of deflection by bone. Postulated explanations for this unusual bullet track are that the woman was twisting her body in a dynamic scene when the bullet struck; further, due to its shallow angle of incidence on the skin, the bullet was deflected to an intracutaneous path. Additionally, soft tissue resistance may have caused the bullet to yaw. Caution should, thus, be exercised when reconstructing bullet trajectories solely from entry and exist wounds, also for bullet wounds through basically homogenous soft tissues.

During the recent pandemic with the severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus‑2 the first messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines were approved. To facilitate mass vaccination, confidence of the general population in these new vaccines is mandatory, which is in turn strongly dependent on the availability of reliable data on complications.Summary of the current knowledge on mRNA vaccination-associated myocarditis as a potentially fatal side effect.Systematic literature review.Diagnostic algorithm for the postmortem diagnosis of mRNA vaccination-associated myocarditis.Autopsy series of fatalities following mRNA SARS-CoV‑2 vaccination up to 6 weeks with subsequent sophisticated and interdisciplinary work-up are necessary to complement clinical data on vaccination-associated myocarditis, especially regarding the incidence of fatal courses.The online version of this article (10.1007/s00194-022-00587-9) includes a PDF file with supplemental clinical features.Mit der aktuellen Pandemie mit dem severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus‑2 (SARS-CoV‑2) wurden die ersten messenger Ribonukleinsäure (mRNA)-Impfstoffe zugelassen. Der Erfolg der Impfkampagne hängt vom Vertrauen der Bevölkerung in die neuen Impfstoffe, und dieses wiederum von der Verfügbarkeit reliabler Daten zu Komplikationen ab.Zusammenfassung des aktuellen Kenntnisstandes zu impfassoziierten Myokarditiden, als potenziell letalen Nebenwirkungen der mRNA-Impfstoffe.Systematischer Literatur-Review.Diagnostischer Algorithmus zur systematischen postmortalen Aufarbeitung von Todesfällen im zeitlichen Zusammenhang mit einer mRNA-Impfung hinsichtlich einer impfassoziierten Myokarditis.Die impfassoziierte Myokarditis ist eine Ausschlussdiagnose, die lediglich durch eine differenzierte und interdisziplinäre Aufarbeitung gestellt werden kann. Autopsieserien von Todesfällen bis zu 6 Wochen nach der Impfung sind erforderlich, um die klinischen Daten hinsichtlich letaler Komplikationen zu ergänzen.

In the frame of an experimental setting, the formation of round-shaped compounded glass fragments on the exit site after gunshots through a windshield was examined. For that purpose, a 9 × 19 mm pistol (HK P30) and two different cartridges containing (a) a full metal jacketed round-nosed projectile and (b) a deformation projectile were used. On the basis of 52 gunshots, the morphology, impact angles and terminal ballistics of occurring compounded glass fragments were examined. The results showed that the compounded glass fragments’ morphology allowed for the differentiation of two used projectiles. Fragments were able to cause round-shaped defects in a single cotton layer (T-shirt) with subsequent penetration of up to 2.4 cm into ballistic gelatin (10%, 4 °C). As a function of the projectile type, the compounded glass fragments showed different reproducible impact angles that differed notably from the known conical pattern of expelled glass fragments after bullet penetration. These findings might help to explain the atypical morphology of gunshot wounds with laminated glass as an intermediate target and prevent possible misinterpretations when reconstructing the sequence of events.

Aortic valve repair and valve-preserving root replacement have evolved into increasingly practiced procedures. With increasing experience, the need for an annuloplasty has become more evident, at least for pathologies that involve annular dilatation. To understand the effect of an aortic annuloplasty, it is necessary to know the details of aortic valve and root anatomy. Geometrically, the functional annulus is best defined as the virtual basal ring, ie, plane of the cusp nadirs. The sinotubular diameter also influences the aortic valve form, at least in tricuspid valves. Different annuloplasty concepts have been developed for isolated valve repair or in combination with root remodeling, such as subcommissural sutures, suture annuloplasty, external, and internal rings. Subcommissural sutures do not consistently provide durable annular stabilization. More positive results have been published for circular approaches, ie, suture annuloplasty, external, or internal rings. The results of different techniques are difficult to judge because most outcome data have not been analyzed with control of confounding predictors of repair failure. The evidence that annuloplasty improves aortic valve function and repair durability is best documented for isolated bicuspid aortic valve repair. In summary, the addition of annuloplasty to aortic valve reconstruction is probably a useful tool to improve valve competence and stabilize the repair. This is best documented for isolated bicuspid valve repair and circular approaches. The relative benefit of individual concepts is difficult to judge because of lack of both control groups and control of confounding factors.

The transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) channel has been studied in pathologies of the hepatobiliary system. Information on the localization of TRPC6-protein in anatomical and histological structures of the human hepatobiliary system in elderly with and without liver disease is lacking.Samples were obtained from twelve nitrite pickling salt-ethanol-polyethylene glycol-fixed corpses of the four anatomical liver lobes, collum and the remaining gallbladder, the common bile duct (gender: 5 females, 41.67%; age [years]: median 84, range 20; postmortem interval before fixation [h]: median 60, range 74.15). Orienting histomorphologic assessment was done in a hematoxylin-eosin stain. Immunohistochemical labelling of TRPC6 was carried out following a cross-evaluation scheme. TRPC6-immunoreactivity was assessed regarding intensity (semi-quantification, three independent observers) and area (optical threshold method). Explorative statistical analyses were performed using R (inter-rater-reliability: Fleiss' kappa; comparisons: Wilcoxon-Rank-sum-test).Extensive autolysis was found in the liver of one and the biliary samples of three corpses. Extensive liver disease was found in 4 corpses, while 8 corpses only showed age-appropriate degeneration. Only the intrahepatic connective tissue showed no TRPC6-immunoreactivity. Individuals with extensively diseased livers exhibited statistically significantly less TRPC6-immunoreactive area in the bile duct and liver tissue while statistically significant more TRPC6-immunoreactive area in the gallbladder compared to individuals with age-appropriate degeneration of the liver only in the respective organ.Age-associated degeneration of the hepatobiliary system is likely to be associated with widespread, homogenous TRPC6-expression. Liver disease potentially influences the distribution of TRPC6-protein within the liver and within the biliary tract in elderly.

Purpose of Review Preservation or repair of the aortic valve has evolved dynamically in the past 20 years. It leads to a high freedom from valve-related complications if an adequate valve durability can be achieved; it may possibly also improve survival. To date, little structured information is available about which valves can be repaired and which should better be replaced. Recent Findings For surgical decision-making, the size of the aortic root is important and the anatomy of the aortic valve must be considered. In the presence of root aneurysm, most tricuspid and bicuspid aortic valves can be preserved. In aortic regurgitation and normal aortic dimensions, the majority of tricuspid and bicuspid aortic valves can be repaired with good long-term durability. In bicuspid aortic valves, the morphologic characteristics must be taken into consideration. Unicuspid and quadricuspid aortic valves can be repaired in selected cases. Generally, cusp calcification is a sign of a poor substrate for repair; the same is true for cusp retraction and cusp destruction due to active endocarditis. They are associated with limited valve durability. Summary Using current concepts, many non-calcified aortic valves can be repaired. Modern imaging, in particular three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), should be able to define repairable aortic valves with a high probability.

We report a case in whom aortic wrapping had been performed for aortic dilatation. Ten years later, further progression of aortic root diameter was documented (root size of 66 mm). We performed complete replacement of the proximal aorta. Macroscopically and microscopically, there was extreme degeneration and thinning of the aorta under the graft.

BACKGROUND We have proposed an external stabilization technique to minimize autograft dilatation after the Ross operation. The aim of this study was to analyze autograft function and root dimensions following root replacement with and without external root support. METHODS Between 10/1995 and 02/2021, 185 adult patients (73% male; age 38±9 years) underwent a Ross operation as full-root replacement with (n=136) or without support (n=49). Autograft function and root dimensions were determined echocardiographically. Median follow-up was 3.4[1.13-14.74] years; it was 95% complete. Survival and freedom from reoperation were calculated; changes in autograft root dimensions were analyzed using mixed-effect models. RESULTS Survival (95%) and freedom from autograft reoperation (94%) at 15 years were higher with than without support (p=0.003 or p=0.004). In the first five years, patients with support showed an indexed root size progression of 0.712mm/(year*m)(p=0.003) compared to 1.554mm/(year*m)(p=0.001) without. Progression rates were higher for patients without stabilization (p=0.045). After five years, progression rates were similar in both groups (0.248mm/(year*m)(p

Risk of superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction following repair of anomalous right upper pulmonary veins in children is unclear. The incidence and outcome of subclinical obstruction remained unknown. Retrospective single institutional study (07/1993-02/2017) in a pediatric population (N = 42, median age 3.9-year, range 0.1-15.3 years). 33 (79%) children had repair without SVC translocation ("non-Warden") and 9 (21%) had Warden-type surgery. Echocardiographic SVC obstruction was defined as (I) turbulent flow across SVC and (II) continuous flow pattern without return to baseline velocity (0 m/s); severe obstruction was defined as loss of distinct biphasic profile ± mean gradient ≥ 5 mmHg. 3 (7%) patients required intra-operative revision due to obstruction (non-Warden: 1, Warden: 2). After discharge, 2 (5%) patients required reintervention (3 and 6-month post-op) for severe symptomatic obstruction (non-Warden: 1, Warden-type: 1). Both patients responded to balloon angioplasty with symptomatic resolution (one required repeat catheter reintervention). 10 (24%) patients had subclinical echocardiographic obstruction (2, 22% Warden vs. 8, 24% non-Warden; p = 1.0; 8 of 10 patients had mild gradient), which resolved and remained well without reintervention. At follow-up (mean 7.2-year, range 0-23 years), all patients were alive. Freedom from SVC reintervention at 10 and 20-year is 95% (97% at 10, 20-year in non-Warden and 89% at 5, 8-year in Warden-type group; log-rank p = 0.34). Surgical repair for anomalous right upper pulmonary veins is associated with risk of SVC obstruction in children. The need for reintervention for severe obstruction is rare at late follow-up. Patients with subclinical obstruction remain asymptomatic and demonstrate echocardiographic improvement.

Objectives Certain aortic valve malformations predispose to ascending aortic aneurysm, although the mechanisms are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether turbulence across the unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) contributes to regional differences in endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) signaling in the ascending aortic wall. Methods Samples were collected intraoperatively from the convex and concave ascending aortic wall from 64 patients with tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs; 25 nondilated, 17 dilated), or UAVs (9 nondilated, 13 dilated). Results In normal-sized aortas, eNOS protein was decreased in UAV compared with TAV (P = .02) whereas mRNA was similar (P = .62). eNOS protein was increased in UAV-dilated aortas compared with UAV-nondilated aortas (P = .04), whereas dilatation had no impact on eNOS protein levels in TAV aortas (P = .73). Comparing only aneurysmal aortas, we found no difference in eNOS mRNA or protein between dilated TAV and UAV aortas (P = .26, P = .76). For eNOS mRNA and protein levels in normal and dilated UAV-associated aortas, no differences were found between concavity and convexity (all P > .05). This differed from dilated TAV aortas, which showed decreased eNOS mRNA in the convexity (P = .004) whereas eNOS protein levels were similar (P = .75). Conclusions eNOS downregulation is observed in the UAV-associated ascending aorta and is apparently independent of dilatation. No regional differences were found, however, which would be expected if eNOS changes occur due to wall shear stress. This implies a congenital defect in eNOS signaling that may be stronger than turbulence-induced expression patterns. Further research should define the role of eNOS in aortopathy associated with aortic valve disease.

Objective: The probability of aortic complications in patients with bicuspid aortic valve is higher in association with aortic regurgitation (AR) compared with aortic stenosis (AS) or normally functioning valves. The objective of this study was to determine whether this is related to the specific characteristics of aneurysmatic dilatation that includes AR or whether AR itself has a negative impact on the aortic wall, independent of aneurysmatic dilatation. Approach and Results: Nondilated aortic specimens were harvested intraoperatively from individuals with tricuspid aortic valves and either AS (n=10) or AR (n=16). For controls, nondilated aortas were harvested during autopsies from individuals with tricuspid aortic valves and no evidence of aortic valve disease (n=10). Histological and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that compared with control aortas, overall medial degeneration was more severe in AR-aortas ( P =0.005) but not AS-aortas ( P =0.23). This pathological remodeling included mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation ( P =0.005), elastin loss ( P =0.003), elastin fragmentation ( P =0.008), and decreased expression of fibrillin ( P =0.003) and collagen ( P =0.008). Furthermore, eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) expression was decreased in the intima ( P =0.0008) and in vasa vasorum ( P =0.004) of AR-aortas but not AS-aortas (all P >0.05). Likewise, subendothelial apoptosis was increased in AR-aortas ( P =0.03) but not AS-aortas ( P =0.50). Conclusions: AR has a negative effect on the nondilated ascending aortic wall. Accordingly, our results support the need for more detailed studies of the aortic wall in relation to aortic valve disease and may ultimately lead to more aggressive clinical monitoring and/or surgical criteria for patients with relevant AR. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.

OBJECTIVES The unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare cardiac malformation and is associated with the formation of ascending aortic aneurysms. To characterize its associated aortic wall changes, normal and aneurysmatic ascending aortic wall specimens were analysed, focusing on the potential mechanisms of aneurysm formation. Patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) served as controls. METHODS In a retrospective observational study, 74 specimens (dilated and non-dilated aortas; individuals with UAV and TAV) obtained intraoperatively were studied. Standard stains and immunohistochemical labelling of cleaved caspase-3, cluster of differentiation 31 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were performed to assess the degree of apoptosis, distribution of eNOS within the aortic wall, smooth muscle cell (SMC) nuclei loss and mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation (MEMA). RESULTS Deeper ingrowth of vasa vasorum was found in dilated aortas. Interestingly, eNOS was expressed mostly in vasa vasorum. More apoptosis was seen in UAV aortas compared to TAV aortas (P CONCLUSIONS Aneurysms with UAV show increased apoptosis, the role of which is unclear. Strikingly, more severe MEMA was found in TAV aneurysms compared to UAV aneurysms. Thus, UAV-associated aortic wall changes and resulting aneurysm may be less aggressive than aneurysms with TAV.

Only limited data are available on the extent of the vasa vasorum of the human thoracic aorta, although this could be important with regard to certain pathophysiological states, i.e. aortic aneurysm or atherosclerosis. A preliminary investigation shows that the vascularization of the human thoracic aorta reaches deeper layers than generally believed.