Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Sudden deaths due to ASCAD often fall under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner. ASCAD is such a common part of daily practice that pathologists often take for granted the validity of both clinical and postmortem ASCAD diagnostic techniques. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the history, literature, and common practices regarding postmortem ASCAD diagnosis.
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