Sudden, unexpected death resulting from a giant coronary artery aneurysm

Abstract

Aneurysms of the coronary arteries are rare and most cases develop in vessels with severe atherosclerosis. However, coronary aneurysms of other etiological origins may occur in younger people. These cases often remain undetected until a sudden and sometimes fatal complication occurs. Therefore, knowledge of the disease is important not only for the clinician, but also for the forensic pathologist. We report the case of a young man who died suddenly and unexpectedly and in whom autopsy revealed a giant coronary artery aneurysm complicated by fresh, obliterating thrombosis.