10-04-2007, 11:36 AM
A 70-year-old woman dies in a nursing home after a heart attack. The time of onset of her clinical
symptomatology and the cause of death are uncertain; furthermore, the possibility of neglect is being
considered. Therefore, an autopsy investigation is arranged. The forensic pathologist discovers acute
thrombosis involving the posterior descending branch of the right coronary artery with resultant myocardial
infarction (MI) in the posterior third of the interventricular septum. Histologically, there is coagulation
necrosis
with associated abundant neutrophilic infiltration. Histiocytes and lymphocytes are scanty. Which of the
following
is the approximate period between the onset of pain (ie, beginning of ischemic injury) and death?
A. 1 hour
B. 12 hours
C. 2 days
D. 5 days
E. 10 days
symptomatology and the cause of death are uncertain; furthermore, the possibility of neglect is being
considered. Therefore, an autopsy investigation is arranged. The forensic pathologist discovers acute
thrombosis involving the posterior descending branch of the right coronary artery with resultant myocardial
infarction (MI) in the posterior third of the interventricular septum. Histologically, there is coagulation
necrosis
with associated abundant neutrophilic infiltration. Histiocytes and lymphocytes are scanty. Which of the
following
is the approximate period between the onset of pain (ie, beginning of ischemic injury) and death?
A. 1 hour
B. 12 hours
C. 2 days
D. 5 days
E. 10 days