Focal fibromuscular dysplasia of the sinus node artery was identified as a striking feature in two cases of sudden unexpected death, suggesting a possible mechanism for lethal electrical instability.
Case Report (n=2)
Fibromuscular dysplasia of the sinus node artery may be a potential mechanism for lethal electrical instability and sudden unexpected death.
The sinus node artery was focally narrowed by fibromuscular dysplasia in two examples of sudden unexpected death reported here. Although both cases had additional histological abnormalities in the conduction system of the heart, the more striking feature was the focal fibromuscular dysplasia. These findings are discussed in relationship to a large number of similar examples of focal fibromuscular dysplastic narrowing of the sinus node artery observed in other victims of sudden unexpected death, considering some possible mechanisms for lethal electrical instability of the heart and also the possible pathogenesis of such fibromuscular dysplasia.
James et al. (1976) conducted a case report in Sudden unexpected death (n=2). Fibromuscular dysplasia of the sinus node artery was evaluated on Sudden unexpected death. Focal fibromuscular dysplasia of the sinus node artery was identified as a striking feature in two cases of sudden unexpected death, suggesting a possible mechanism for lethal electrical instability.