From the anatomic findings and pertinent history I ascribe death to:
(A) EMETINE CARDIOTOXICITY
DUE TO / AS A CONSEQUENCE OF
(B) ANOREXIA NERVOSA
I. Pulmonary edema and congestion
II. Anorexia Nervosa (clinical).
III. Cachexia.
IV. Distended abdomen.
V. Dehydration.
VI. Congestion of liver and spleen.
VII. Hyperplasia of porta lymph nodes.
VIII. Distention of bowel
The body is unclothed and unembalmed and is that of a well-developed, thin 32 year old white female which measures 64 inches in length and weighs 108 pounds. The body is at room temperature. Rigor mortis is not present. Liver mortis is in the dependent portions and is unfixed, blanching with pressure. The hair is dark brown. The pupils are widely dilated and are round, regular and equal. They measure .6cm in diameter. The sclerae are injected. The nasal cavity is clear. An endotracheal tube is present in the mouth. No abnormalities are seen. The teeth are natural. The ear canals are clear. No injuries are seen of the neck. A small superficial abrasion measuring 1/4 inch is seen over the pre-cordium of the chest. The abdomen is distended. The female genitalia reveal no evidence of injury or disease. Multiple needle puncture marks are seen in the groin bilaterally. The legs show no evidence of injury. The toe nails contain clear polish. The arms are thin. An intravenous needle is present in the right antecubital fossa. Fresh needle marks are seen in both wrists and on the back of the right hand. A superficial abrasion measuring 1/8 in in greatest extent is present on the back of the left hand. The finger nails are long and contain red polish.
The scalp and pericanial tissue reveal no evidence of injury or disease. The skull is intact and shows no fractures. The dura is intact and shows no hemorrhages, either extradurally or subdurally. The arachnoid is thin and transparent. The cerebrospinal fluid is clear. The arteries of the circle of Willis have their normal anatomic distribution and reveal no arteriosclerosis. The brain weighs 1210 grams and shows no focal alterations of the surface. On multiple coronal sections no abnormalities are seen throughout the cortex, white matter, basal ganglia, thalami, midbrain, pons, cerebellum or medulla oblongata.
Pink foamy material is present in the airway to the level of the larynx. No obstruction is seen. No gastric contents are present. The muccosa is unremarkable. No injuries or abnormalities are seen of the tongue. The larynx, trachea and large bronchi show no abnormalities. The soft tissue of the neck reveal no evidence of injury or disease.
The pleural and peritoneal cavities are free of fluid and the surfaces are smooth and glistening. The pericardial cavity contains a few cc. of clear yellow fluid. The surfaces are smooth and glistening.
The heart weighs 170 grams and is small but of normal shape and configuration. The epicardial surface is smooth. The myocardium is red-brown and firm and shows no focal ulcerations. The endocardial surface and valves are grossly normal. The coronary arteries reveal no arteriosclerosis and no congenital abnormalies. The aorta reveals minimal intimal thickening and plaque formation. The pulmonary arteries and great veins are grossly normal.
The right lung weighs 450 grams and the left lung weighs 450 grams. The surfaces are redish-pink and moist. The consistency is soft and doughy. The cut surface is dark red in the lower lobes and pale grayish-pink in the upper lobes. Frothy pink fluid is present on the cut surfaces. No focal alterations are seen and no evidence of aspiration, pneumonia or tumor is seen grossly.
The liver weighs 1820 grams. The capsule is reddish-brown and smooth. The liver is enlarged and protrudes below the costal margins. The cut surface has a uniform reddish-brown appearance and shows no focal alterations. The gallbladder contains an estimated 10cc. of yellowish-brown viscid bile. No stones are noted. The mucosa is velvety. The extrahepatic bile ducts are patent. The porta hepatic lymph nodes are enlarged to about the size of a pea.
The spleen weighs 140 grams and is enlarged. The capsule is grayish-purple, smooth and tense. The consistency is firm. The cut surface is dark red and shows congestion.
The pancreas is grossly normal. No focal alterations are seen and no evidence of tumor is noted.
The esophagus is dilated and contains gastric content to the level of midesophagus. The upper portions of the esophagus are grossly normal. The stomach contains an estimated 50 to 60 cc. of a dark green, dry and hydrous material which has the consistency of dried tea leaves. No solid material or identifiable food is seen. No pills, capsules or other forms of medications are identifiable. The mucosa is rugose and intact and reveals no ulcerations or other abnormalities. The duodenum is dilated and full of a soft semiliquid yellowish-green material. The mucosa is intact. The small bowel is also distended and full of a yellowish-green semisolid dehydrated material. The appendix is grossly normal. The colon is also distended and dilated with a greenish-brown dehydrated material to the level of the terminal sigmoid. The rectum is empty and shows no abnormalities.
The right kidney weighs 130 grams and the left kidney weighs 130 grams. The capsules strip with ease revealing a smooth reddish-purple surface. The cut surface reveals good corticomdullary distinction. The cortices and medullae are grossly normal. The pelvis and ureters are unremarkable. The bladder is empty, the mucosa is intact. The vagina is clear, the mucosa is intact. The cervix is smooth and small. The uterus is of normal size, shape and configuration. The myometrium is firm. The endometrium is thick and mucoid. The fallopian tubes are grossly normal. The right ovary is unremarkable. The left ovary contains a corpus luteum showing recent hemorrhage.
The pituitary, thyroid and edrenal glands are grossly normal.
The bone marrow is red-brown and juicy. There are no traumatic or other lesions noted throughout the muscles and bones.
Signed by: Ronald N. Kornblum, M.D. Acting
Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner.
RNK:ljh:c
February 28, 1983.
Death was caused by:
Immediate cause:
Emetine Cardiotoxicity
Due to:
Anorexia Nervosa.
Other conditions contributing but not relating to the immediate cause of death:
Natural cause.
Case # 83-1611.
Date February 4, 1983.
Deceased: Karen Anne Carpenter.
Age: 32.
Sex: Fe.
Race: Cau.
Karen Anne Carpenter was pronounced dead on the 4th day of February 1983 at 0951am by I. Edwards, M.D. at Downey Community Hospital.
Hospital #: ED#7139520
Admitted: 4th day of February 1983 at 0923am by ambulance. From home- 9828 Newville Avenue Downey. Admitted by G Monnet, M.D.
In my opinion the immediate cause of death is: Hyperosmolar Coma.
Symptoms Cardiac arrest.
Laboratory Data: 1,110 Blood Glucose Level.
Remarks: Anorexia Nervosa / Depression.
==========
Daniel Selby Note: Hyperosmolar Coma is a coma (loss of consciousness) related to high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood and requiring emergency treatment. A person with this condition is usually older and weak from loss of body fluids and weight. The person may or may not have a previous history of diabetes.
Hyperosmolar coma is a condition mainly characterized by decreased consciousness (coma), extreme dehydration (lack of water), and extremely high blood glucose (sugar) levels, which is not accompanied by ketoacidosis.
The condition is usually seen in people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes and may occur in those previously undiagnosed with diabetes or in those who have improperly managed their medications and diet. The condition may be precipitated by an infection or by certain medications that impair glucose tolerance or increase fluid loss. Overuse of laxatives can also cause extreme water loss.
Normally the kidneys compensate for high glucose levels in the blood by excreting excess glucose in the urine. However, when water is scarce, the kidneys conserve fluid and glucose levels become higher. This results in greater need for water.
Hyperosmolarity is a condition in which the blood is concentrated with sodium, glucose, and other molecules that normally attract water into the bloodstream. When the kidneys are conserving water, however, this creates a vicious cycle of increasing blood-glucose levels and increasing dehydration.
Risk factors are older age; underlying kidney insufficiency; congestive heart failure; recent discontinuation of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents; improper management of diabetes; and a precipitating event such as extreme dieting, infection, heart attack, stroke, or recent surgery.
==========
Informant:
Pam Tomlin RN, Downey Community Hospital.
Incident
The decedent is a 32 year old female with a reported history of "Anorexia Nervosa."
The decedent was last know to be alive this morning when her mother heard her activity in the kitchen of their residence. The decedent's mother entered the kitchen at approximately 0850 Hrs 2-4-83 and found the decedent unresponsive on the floor.
Paramedics were summoned responded and initiated CPR while transporting the decedent to the hospital. The decedent was admitted to the Emergency Room of Downey Community Hospital where life saving efforts proved to be of no avail. Death was pronounced at 0951 Hrs, 2-4-83 by Dr. Edwards.
This investigator viewed the decedent at Downey Community Hospital. Close examination revealed no indications of trauma or foul play. Ms. Tomlin relinquished a vial of "Ativan" 2mg tablets which she stated was found in the decedents clothing. The medication and the decedent were transported in to the FSC.
Clothing (Red Jogging Suit) released to friend of the family per request of Evelyn Wallace who says she was the secretary to deceased.
No additional information known by this investigator at this time.
End of Autopsy / Report.
I did not include organ section or drug screening information in this report for my web page, both of which were addressed in the 23 page report.
~Daniel Selby
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