Coronary occlusion and sudden death

Abstract In a study of 345 consecutive autopsies, of which 286 were upon bodies over one year of age, representing 208 negroes and 78 Caucasians, and which were performed one calendar year, there are presented: 18 cases of occlusion produced by sclerosis without (11), sclerosis with (4), syphilitic constriction of a artery orifice (2), and embolic occlusion (1); a discussion of the symptoms and pathology of occlusion; and a discussion of 25 cases of sudden death, 13 of which were caused by occlusion. It is suggested that the inaccurate general term coronary thrombosis be used only when an actual thrombus is present. The following working rule is suggested: Unless there are signs definitely indicating other disease in a white male over forty years of age who dies within three hours after the onset of either respiratory, cardiac, or gastric symptoms, the cause of death is occlusion .