Waller B F, Catellier M J, Clark M A, Hawley D A, Pless J E
Cardiovascular Pathology Registry, St. Vincent Hospital and Health Care Center, Nasser, Smith & Pinkerton Cardiology, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana.
Clin Cardiol. 1992 Oct;15(10):760-5. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960151014.
The incidence of various types of cardiovascular disease was evaluated in 2007 consecutive forensic patients. Cardiovascular deaths accounted for 22.8% of the study patients and atherosclerotic coronary heart disease was the most common type of cardiac disease (18%). Among subjects dying of atherosclerotic coronary disease, sudden death was three times more frequent than acute myocardial infarction. Expected cardiac findings included the incidence of severe coronary atherosclerosis (21%), floppy mitral valves (5%), and congenital bicuspid aortic valves (1%). Major cardiac findings occurred in 32% and minor cardiac findings were found in 40%. Only 17% of hearts were anatomically normal. An unexpected cardiac necropsy finding included the high frequency of myocardial bridges (23%). Unexpected cardiac findings included the low incidence of acute myocarditis (0.6%) and common finding of tunneled epicardial coronary arteries ("myocardial bridges") (23%).
