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A Postmortem Portrait of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Large Multi-institutional Autopsy Survey Study
- Source :
- Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 145:529-535
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Context.— This study represents the largest compilation to date of clinical and postmortem data from decedents with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It will augment previously published small series of autopsy case reports, refine clinicopathologic considerations, and improve the accuracy of future vital statistical reporting. Objective.— To accurately reflect the preexisting diseases and pathologic conditions of decedents with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection through autopsy. Design.— Comprehensive data from 135 autopsy evaluations of COVID-19–positive decedents is presented, including histologic assessment. Postmortem examinations were performed by 36 pathologists at 19 medical centers or forensic institutions in the United States and Brazil. Data from each autopsy were collected through the online submission of multiple-choice and open-ended survey responses. Results.— Patients dying of or with COVID-19 had an average of 8.89 pathologic conditions documented at autopsy, spanning a combination of prior chronic disease and acute conditions acquired during hospitalization. Virtually all decedents were cited as having more than 1 preexisting condition, encompassing an average of 2.88 such diseases each. Clinical conditions during terminal hospitalization were cited 395 times for the 135 autopsied decedents and predominantly encompassed acute failure of multiple organ systems and/or impaired coagulation. Myocarditis was rarely cited. Conclusions.— Cause-of-death statements in both autopsy reports and death certificates may not encompass the severity or spectrum of comorbid conditions in those dying of or with COVID-19. If supported by additional research, this finding may have implications for public health decisions and reporting moving forward through the pandemic.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Myocarditis
MEDLINE
Autopsy
Comorbidity
030204 cardiovascular system & hematology
Pathology and Forensic Medicine
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Cause of Death
Surveys and Questionnaires
Epidemiology
Pandemic
medicine
Humans
Pandemics
Aged
Cause of death
Aged, 80 and over
business.industry
Public health
COVID-19
General Medicine
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
United States
Medical Laboratory Technology
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Chronic Disease
Emergency medicine
Female
business
Brazil
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15432165 and 00039985
- Volume :
- 145
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d48d791cdea38d8f0f3334714f2d1adb