Abstract
ABSTRACT Heart weight is a routine measurement at post-mortem examination. An increased heart weight is associated with pre-existing heart disease and sudden cardiac death. However, during decomposition, the heart weight measured at post-mortem examination may not reflect the weight at the time of death. A previous study showed that heart dimensions can be used to estimate heart weight. This study documents the changes in heart dimensions during decomposition using porcine and ovine animal models. It shows that, in contrast to heart weight, which decreases in the post-mortem interval, the heart dimensions increase. Heart width increases and subsequently plateaus at the end of the 18 days to a mean of 6 and 8 mm in ovine and porcine hearts, whereas the length continues to increase. Using the results of this study, in conjunction with previous published literature, the heart width may be used as a parameter to estimate heart weight and determine cardiac hypertrophy at the time of death in decomposed hearts.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
