Document Detail


Sudden death and sickle cell trait: medicolegal considerations and implications.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19465821     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Sickle cell trait, which affects approximately 8% of American blacks, is generally felt to be a benign condition. Exercise-related collapse in persons with sickle cell trait is a rare but serious complication. It occurs most often in military recruits and deconditioned athletes undergoing intense physical training, but can also occur in other situations in which an individual exerts himself beyond his limits of endurance. Local hypoxia causes intravascular sickling, in turn causing vascular occlusion and organ and tissue damage. This can result in rhabdomyolysis, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias and sudden death. Risk factors include poor physical conditioning, inadequate hydration, excess heat and/or altitude, heat-retaining clothing and febrile illness. Seven cases are presented, and the implications of the diagnosis of sickle trait-associated collapse and sudden death are discussed.
Authors:
Lisa Scheinin; Charles V Wetli
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology     Volume:  30     ISSN:  1533-404X     ISO Abbreviation:  Am J Forensic Med Pathol     Publication Date:  2009 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-05-25     Completed Date:  2009-09-29     Revised Date:  2011-02-02    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8108948     Medline TA:  Am J Forensic Med Pathol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  204-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Los Angeles Department of Coroner, University of Southern California, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Death, Sudden / etiology*
Forensic Pathology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Organ Size
Physical Exertion / physiology*
Rhabdomyolysis / physiopathology
Sickle Cell Trait / physiopathology*
Spleen / pathology

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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