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Why We Need Postmortem Analysis of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices
- Source :
- Journal of Forensic Sciences. 61:988-992
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2016.
-
Abstract
- The prevalence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is increasing. However, postmortem analysis of CIEDs is not performed routinely. Fourteen consecutive CIEDs were analyzed. The indication for and date of implantation, technical data, CIED reprogramming, heart rhythm disturbances, patient demographics and medical consultations were investigated. Death during the first year after implantation was seen in 54%, whereof 71% consulted a physician within 10 days before death. The time of death was attributed to a particular day in 29%. There was a relationship between CIEDs and cause/manner of death in 50%. Although limited by a small sample size, this study advocates the routine postmortem CIED analysis for forensic and clinical purposes in selected cases. Patients with CIEDs seem to show an increased risk of death during the first year after implantation. The analysis of CIEDs can be helpful in evaluating the time/cause/manner of death.
- Subjects :
- Pacemaker, Artificial
medicine.medical_specialty
Forensic pathology
medicine.medical_treatment
Patient demographics
340 Law
610 Medicine & health
Autopsy
030204 cardiovascular system & hematology
Pathology and Forensic Medicine
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
1311 Genetics
Cause of Death
Genetics
medicine
Humans
030216 legal & forensic medicine
Cause of death
business.industry
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Heart
Small sample
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
10218 Institute of Legal Medicine
Defibrillators, Implantable
Time of death
Surgery
2734 Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Death
10021 Department of Trauma Surgery
Increased risk
Emergency medicine
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 00221198
- Volume :
- 61
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Forensic Sciences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....dab486b38d50733bd87317bddb60167a