Abstract |
The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in postmortem blood biochemistry between fresh-, saltwater drowning and acute myocardial infarction/ ischemia (AMI) (n=11, n=15 and n=23, respectively; postmortem interval <48 h). Left and right cardiac blood samples were examined for the serum markers: sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), magnesium (Mg), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A) and cardiac troponin T ( cTn-T). The most efficient markers were the left-right cardiac BUN ratio for determination of drowning ( hemodilution) and the left heart blood Mg level for differentiation between fresh- and saltwater aspiration. A characteristic feature of saltwater drowning was a low left-right BUN ratio and a marked elevation in the serum Cl, Mg and Ca levels of the left heart blood. Serum cTn-T level was usually low in drownings, showing a difference from most cases of AMI. Freshwater drowning showed a significant elevation of serum SP-A, although there was considerable overlapping with saltwater drowning and AMI. These findings suggested the usefulness of serum markers in the investigation of death from drownings.
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Authors | Bao-Li Zhu, Kaori Ishida, Mari Taniguchi, Li Quan, Shigeki Oritani, Kohei Tsuda, Yasunobu Kamikodai, Masaki Q Fujita, Hitoshi Maeda |
Journal | Legal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
(Leg Med (Tokyo))
Vol. 5 Suppl 1
Pg. S298-301
(Mar 2003)
ISSN: 1344-6223 [Print] Ireland |
PMID | 12935616
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Biomarkers
- Chlorides
- Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A
- Troponin T
- Magnesium
- Calcium
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Biomarkers
(blood)
- Blood Urea Nitrogen
- Calcium
(blood)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Chlorides
(blood)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Drowning
(blood, diagnosis)
- Female
- Fresh Water
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Magnesium
(blood)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Myocardial Infarction
(blood, diagnosis)
- Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A
(blood)
- Seawater
- Troponin T
(blood)
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