SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DEATH FROM SPONTANEOUS RUPTURE OF THE PULMONARY ARTERY

Pulmonary artery dissection (PAD) and rupture presenting as sudden death, albeit quite rare, have on occasion been reported. In particular, cases of idiopathic spontaneous rupture of the pulmonary artery, i.e. from vessel tear not preceded by predisposing pathology or trauma, are exceedingly rare in the literature. We report on the case of a 68-year-old male with no significant medical history, in apparent good health, who suddenly collapsed several minutes after engaging in his CrossFit workout. Hemopericardium containing 290 cc of partially coagulated blood was identified at autopsy. A hemorrhage was identified at the proximal pulmonary artery, along with a full-thickness tear of the vessel wall. The aorta, coronaries and heart walls showed no rupture.