Sudden death due to coronary artery insufficiency as a result of massive cardiomegaly – a case report

Abstract

Forensic pathologists encounter a wide range of deaths due to natural causes. Natural deaths can be sudden and unexpected, occurring in apparently healthy people. All such cases have to be investigated and a medico-legal autopsy should be conducted to ascertain the cause of death, and to rule out any criminal cause of death. Here, we report a case of a 46-year-old male who collapsed at his workplace and died. There was no history of significant natural disease. The case was investigated due to the suddenness of his death and absence of a history of significant medical illness. An autopsy revealed that the death was due to coronary artery insufficiency as a result of massive cardiomegaly, although there was absence of significant occlusion of the coronary arteries.