Abstract
Coarctation of the aorta (CA) is diagnosed mainly in pediatric patients, and
therapy is conservative if asymptomatic, but surgical treatment is required if
advanced arterial hypertension is present. Moderate to severe forms
contraindicate any type of physical activity requiring cardiac effort. Here, we
describe the first documented death of an apparently healthy 35-year-old woman
because of cardiac tamponade by rupture of an aortic aneurysm, possibly related
to congenital CA, prolonged use of oxymetazoline hydrochloride, and physical
and/or emotional stress during sexual activity. Our patient was asymptomatic for
classical CA symptoms. The patient's breathing difficulties likely in hindsight
were due not so much to nasal congestion, but rather to an ineffective
oxygenation of the blood from the abnormal heart. In an attempt to treat the
"nasal disease," the patient ingested chronic and excessive doses of
decongestants, aggravating her fatal disease. The danger of inhaling large doses
of nasal decongestants without an appropriate medical indication is highlighted
here.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 1361-1363 |
Numero di pagine | 3 |
Rivista | Journal of Forensic Sciences |
Volume | 2011 |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2011 |
Keywords
- aortic coarctation
- sexual intercourse