Pathological characteristics of sudden death caused by coronary thrombosis

Objective: To explore medico-legal characteristics of sudden death caused by coronary heart disease combined with coronary thrombosis. Methods: Ninety-six cases of sudden death caused by coronary heart disease were collected and divided into two groups: thrombus positive and thrombus negative groups. The time onset, induction and pathological features of coronary artery disease were analyzed. Results: Two groups showed man-dominant population. There were no statistical significant differences in season, circa-dian rhythm and induction factor. The thrombus positive group (age<40) showed a higher disease incidence. Heart weight and degree of coronary stenosis were lower in thrombus positive group. However, there was no statistical difference in the number of atherosclerotic coronary arteries (≥2), the length of coronary lesions and myocardial infarct. But thrombosis positive group showed lower tendency. Conclusion: Two groups are man-dominant population and similar induction factor, lesion position, mechanism of death. But thrombus positive group appeared more in a younger population and the degree of coronary stenosis is milder than thrombus negative group. Forensic pathologists should pay more attention to these characteristics in death investigation.