NCJ Number
246120
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2013 Pages: 811-812
Date Published
May 2013
Length
2 pages
Annotation
To evaluate whether the weight of the heart measured at autopsy may be affected by the type of dissection, a prospective study was undertaken of the weights of sequential cases of nonpediatric hearts.
Abstract
Four hundred fifty-eight hearts were examined (age range 17-96 years; mean 55.9 years; M/F = 3:1). The hearts were each weighed fresh, once the apex had been sliced, the auricles of the atria opened and blood drained, and again once the cardiac chambers had been opened completely. The difference in the partially and fully opened heart weights (range 146-1028 g; mean 434.8 g; range 134-1011 g; mean 420.8 g, respectively) (p less than 0.05) ranged from 0 to 100 g (mean 14 g). In the most extreme example, the weight of the partially opened heart was 30.3 percent higher than that of the fully opened specimen. Failure to fully open the heart prior to weighing may result in significant error. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.