Cardiac fibroma presenting as sudden unexpected death in an adolescent

Excerpt

The deceased was a previously healthy 16-year-old female who had no significant past medical history, was not on any regular medications and had no known preceding symptoms. Her family described her as “bookish” (as opposed to “sporty”), but it is unknown whether this was the result of poor exercise tolerance or simply personal preference. On the evening of her death, she was seen by her mother who reported she appeared normal. Ten minutes later her mother heard a “thud” coming from her daughter’s bedroom. On investigation she was found collapsed on the floor and not breathing. Emergency services were called and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) commenced. On arrival paramedics noted her to be in ventricular fibrillation (VF). CPR efforts were continued, including defibrillation and endotracheal intubation, however she did not regain a pulse and was declared dead approximately 1 h post-collapse. As her death was sudden and unexpected it was reported to the relevant medico legal death investigation authority and a legally trained Coroner directed a full autopsy be performed. This was undertaken by a specialist forensic pathologist. …