Unexpected death due to a biventricular thrombosis: Case report and review of literature

Med Leg J. 2021 Mar;89(1):61-64. doi: 10.1177/0025817220953111. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Abstract

Cardiac thrombosis is an unusual condition characterised by the formation of a clot in the heart chambers. Biventricular thrombosis with obstruction of blood flow and fatal cardiogenic shock is anecdotal. This report describes a rare biventricular thrombosis in an elderly woman without known risk factors which was diagnosed at autopsy. A complete autopsy is essential to ascertain the cause of death, especially in complex cases with little medical history. We suggest a possible explanation for the pathophysiological mechanism.

Keywords: Biventricular thrombosis; autopsy; cardiovascular pathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autopsy
  • Death, Sudden / etiology*
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / complications*
  • Heart Diseases / pathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Thrombosis / complications*
  • Thrombosis / pathology*