Forensic Cardiovascular Medicine

Advance Praise for Forensic Cardiovascular Medicine
"Using his vast experience in the medical-legal theater, Dr. RuDusky addresses a very complicated field in a simple and concise manner. Stressing the importance of honesty, integrity, and accuracy of data, he provides an insightful and interesting approach to the problems facing today's medical community."
— John H. Ellis, IV, M.D., F.A.C.C., Chairman, Department of Cardiology, Wyoming Valley Healthcare System and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital
"… a must-read for any new and training physician … I now understand why Dr. RuDusky is considered to be a medical expert in his own right."
— Damien M. Marycz, M.D., Internal Medicine Resident, Cleveland Clinic
"Dr. RuDusky has always been fair, impartial, logical, and concise in his analysis … This book adds significantly to a better understanding of the complex medicine behind his opinions."
— Robert K. Randall, Prominent Midwest malpractice attorney
"…this book is significant … a major contribution for use by physicians, physicians’ students, lawyers and judges connected with the field of forensic medicine in many different contexts."
—Michael D. Schottland, Prominent East Coast malpractice attorney

An Essential Text from a World-Renowned Expert in Cardiology



A unique resource for medical examiners and forensic specialists, Forensic Cardiovascular Medicine draws upon Dr. Basil RuDusky’s vast experience to provide coverage of the clinical aspects of cardiac disease in a forensic context. The book emphasizes some of the most frequently encountered cardiovascular medical problems facing the medical examiner or forensic medical specialist, while also placing special emphasis on those conditions and disease states that are apt to be overlooked, misdiagnosed, or tardily considered.



Covers death certificates, autopsies, and the role of the medical examiner
Presents 25 case studies from the author’s experience to illustrate concepts, including cardiac trauma, vascular abnormalities, specific cardiopathic disorders, and toxic, physical, technical, epidemiological, and social influences
Contains the first complete classification of myocardial contusion and blunt cardiac trauma
Includes a special section on the cardiovascular effects of breast cancer therapy
Dr. RuDusky has served as a consultant for the federal government, corporations, insurance companies, and independent medical service agencies. He sits on the manuscript review board for several medical journals and is associate editor of Angiology, the official international journal of the American Society of Angiology and the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis. In this volume, he brings his considerable expertise to this survey of the topic.

I. OVERVIEW OF FORENSIC MEDICINE
Introduction and Philosophy
Death Certificates, Autopsies, and Medical
Experts
II. CARDIAC TRAUMA
Myocardial Contusion and Blunt
Cardiac Trauma
Overview
Mechanism of Blunt Cardiac Injury
Pathology of Contusion
Forensic Consideration
Symptoms
Signs
Diagnosis
Consequences of Blunt Cardiac Trauma
III. VASCULAR ABNORMALITIES
Coronary Arterial Afflictions
Introduction
Coronary Artery Disease
Vascular Injury
Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissection
Nonpenetrating Vascular Injury
Nontraumatic Vasculopathies
Coagulopathic Disorders
Basic Coagulation Defects
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Additional Coagulation Commentary
Mesenteric Ischemia
IV. SPECIFIC CARDIOPATHIC DISORDERS
Pericardial Problems
Valvular Heart Disease
Cardiac Tumors
Cardiomyopathic Disorders
VI. TOXIC AND PHYSICAL INFLUENCES
Cardiotoxicity
General Pharmacologic and Physical Overview
Cocaine
Alcohol
Physical Agents
Androgenic Steroids
Carbon Monoxide
Particulate Air Pollution
Radiation Therapy
Medication-Induced Cardiac Valvulopathy
Drug-Induced Electrocardiographic Changes
VII. TECHNICAL, EPIDEMIOLOGIC, SOCIAL
AND PHILOSOPHICAL INFLUENCES
The Electrocardiogram
Stress
VIII. ILLUSTRATIVE CASE REPORTS
Case Reports
Case 1: Blunt Chest Trauma Resulting in Traumatic Tricuspid Insufficiency
Forensic Implications
Case 2: Myocardial Contusion, Cardiac Rupture, and
Sudden Death
Forensic Implications
Case 3: Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Very Young
Forensic Implications
Case 4: Nitrate Holiday
Forensic Implications
Case 5: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Forensic Implications
Case 6: Total Aortic Dissection
Forensic Implications
Case 7: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Dissection, and Rupture
Forensic Implications
Case 8: Temporal Arteritis
Forensic Implications
Case 9: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and
Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia
Forensic Implication
Case 10: Postoperative Drug-induced Hemorrhage
Patient 1
Patient 2
Forensic Implications
Case 11: Acute Mesenteric Ischemia (Arterial)
Forensic Implications
Case 12: Subacute and Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Forensic Implications
Case 13: Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis
Forensic Implications
Case 14: Pericardial Tamponade
Forensic Implications
Case 15: Toxic Myocarditis from an "Herbal Energy Capsule"
Forensic Implications
Case 16: Left Atrial Myxoma
Forensic Implications
Case 17: Vascular Metastatic Obstruction — Arterial Obstruction Secondary to Metastatic Chondrosarcoma
Forensic Implications
Case 18: Oncologic Cardiomyopathy
Forensic Implications
Case 19: Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Forensic Implications
Case 20: Brugada Syndrome
Forensic Implications
Case 21: Carcinoid Syndrome
Forensic Implications
Case 22: Stress-Induced Myocardial Infarction
Forensic Implications
Case 23: Pulmonary Embolism
Forensic Implications
Case 24: Radiation-Induced Cardiac Disease
Forensic Implications
Case 25: Carbon Monoxide Toxicity
Forensic Implications
Appendices
References