Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J E Pless

Publications and source records attributed to J E Pless.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Cardiac pathology in 470 consecutive forensic autopsies.

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the single most common generic cause of sudden and unexpected deaths. Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction are the most prevalent forms of fatal cardiac disease observed at autopsy. Other cardiac lesions are frequently listed as causes of death, but the prevalence of such lesions as incidental findings in the general population is unknown. In this study, 470 consecutive forensic autopsies were evaluated for minor and major anomalies. The most frequently observed major congenital finding was floppy mitral valve (5%). Tunneled coronary arteries, considered minor congenital findings, were seen in 29%. Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease was the most common major acquired finding, observed in 16% of cases. Of the 470 hearts, only 8% were considered normal.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Use of aquatic insects in determining submersion interval.

Although its potential is great, the use of aquatic insects in determining submersion intervals at death-scene investigations has not been exploited in the past. Aquatic environments have no known true specific indicator species, as do terrestrial habitats. However, aquatic environmental studies show that organisms may colonize a substrate dependent on factors such as size, position, exposure to current, water temperature, current speed, water depth, the presence of algal communities, or detritus. Certain aquatic insects such as the chironomid midges (Diptera, Chironomidae), and the caddisflies (Trichoptera), are capable of colonizing immersed bodies; and with the known biology of a specific species of insect for a certain geographic area, time intervals of submersion can be established.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Concealment of the body in drug deaths.

Discovery of a concealed body often leads to the assumption that the manner of death was homicide. However, in cases where death has resulted from illicit drug use or drug abuse, the body may be concealed to protect persons involved in drug abuse or drug marketing.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Identification of a red "fiber": chironomid larvae.

During preliminary examination of the body of a homicide victim, a peculiar red "fiber" was noticed and recovered. Initially believing this to be a carpet fiber, the item was subjected to fiber analysis. It was found to be a short coiled particle not like any known natural or synthetic fabric fiber. Subsequent examinations determined this "fiber" to be the larva of a common freshwater midge (Diptera; Chironomidae). Chironomid larvae have been observed on other bodies recovered from freshwater environments. Entomological studies of this organism have led to the conclusion that the presence of chironomid larvae indicates submersion of the body.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Cardiac injury during valve replacement surgery.

The commonly referenced mortality of cardiac valve replacement surgery is 2 to 5%. Some of this mortality is due to therapeutic misadventure during the procedure. Therapeutic misadventure during cardiac valve replacement may result in patterned injury of the heart, so that postmortem examination can establish the nature of the surgical injury. A case of patterned myocardial injury during valve replacement surgery is presented, with a review of literature and associated cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Fatal athletic injuries.

Death during athletic training or competition often brings public media attention. Recent endeavors to attract amateur athletic competitions to Marion County, Indiana prompted a review of athletic fatalities. Trauma during training, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and congenital heart defects cause most fatalities. A prospective study has been initiated to investigate and document these deaths.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Tumbling abrasions. Injuries from ricocheting bullets.

Atypical entrance gunshot wounds may be produced by deflected or ricocheting bullets. One special type of atypical entrance wound involves abrasion of the skin at a site that is remote from the point of dermal penetration. These remote abrasions, termed "tumbling abrasions," are produced by bullets that tumble after impact with an intermediate target. Three cases of tumbling abrasions are presented.

Breast↗
PubMed1986

Etiology of pure tricuspid regurgitation based on anular circumference and leaflet area: analysis of 45 necropsy patients with clinical and morphologic evidence of pure tricuspid regurgitation.

Despite recent renewed interest in the detection of tricuspid valve regurgitation by echocardiographic and Doppler techniques, little morphologic information is available on dysfunctioning tricuspid valves. This report describes 45 necropsy patients with clinical and morphologic evidence of pure (no element of stenosis) tricuspid regurgitation and provides morphometric observations (anular circumference, leaflet area) of the tricuspid valve useful in determining the etiology of pure tricuspid regurgitation. Of 45 patients, 24 (53%) had pure tricuspid regurgitation resulting from an anatomically abnormal valve (prolapse in 7, papillary muscle dysfunction in 6, rheumatic disease in 5, Ebstein's anomaly in 3, infective endocarditis in 2, carcinoid tumor in 1), and 21 (47%) had an anatomically normal valve with systolic pulmonary artery hypertension (cor pulmonale in 12, mitral stenosis in 9). Anular circumference was dilated (greater than 12 cm) in patients with various causes of pulmonary hypertension, floppy valve and Ebstein's tricuspid anomaly. Leaflet area was increased in floppy valve and Ebstein's anomaly. Of the 45 patients, 24 had pulmonary systolic artery pressure measurements available for correlation with tricuspid valve morphology. Pulmonary artery pressures accurately predicted morphologically normal from abnormal valves in 16 patients (89%). Morphologic overlap occurred in six patients with pulmonary pressures of 41 to 54 mm Hg. Of these six, the additional knowledge of normal or dilated anular circumference correctly separated valves with normal and abnormal leaflets.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Hypoplastic coronary arteries and high takeoff position of the right coronary ostium. A fatal combination of congenital coronary artery anomalies in an amateur athlete.

This report describes a previously unrecognized combination of congenital coronary artery abnormalities in the heart of a 30-year-old amateur athlete who died suddenly during a basketball game. Both right and left circumflex coronary arteries were half of their normal length (hypoplastic) decreasing posterior ventricular myocardial perfusion. In addition, the right coronary ostium rose 5 mm above the sinotubular junction (high takeoff position), which also contributed to decreased right coronary artery perfusion. This combination of congenital coronary arterial lesions should be added to the list of structural cardiac defects associated with exercise-related sudden death.

Adult↗