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Case report: Electrocardiographic (ECG) recording during the hanging process

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: A 48-year-old woman was found hanged in the bathroom. She was wearing a Holter monitor, which was later analysed by a cardiologist. During autopsy, findings congruent with atypical hanging were collected. The ECG showed a 20 s asystole and four minutes later bradycardia, which progressed to a second-degree AV-block Mobitz I, then Mobitz II, then to a third-degree AV-block. Finally, only P waves could be observed, before heart action ceased. This is one of few cases reporting ECG-changes during hanging and might give further insight into the complex pathophysiology of this type of death.

Source: Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology

DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00869-6

Authors: E. M. Ungermann, M. Balikowski, J. Hemker, K. Feld

Institutions: Heidelberg University, University Hospital Heidelberg

Language: English

Topic: Restraint-Related Deaths

Subfield: Emergency Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,190