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Fatal Case of Hydrophilic Polymer Emboli
Author(s) -
Rapkiewicz Amy,
Hood Brian,
Hutchins Kenneth
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12934
Subject(s) - embolization , polymer , fragmentation (computing) , medicine , basophilic , embolism , infarction , radiology , surgery , materials science , myocardial infarction , pathology , cardiology , biology , composite material , ecology
Hydrophilic polymers are used to coat catheters and other intravascular devices. In general, these polymers have many salutary properties; however, in some instances, fragmentation of hydrophilic polymers coating intravascular devices can occur with fatal consequences. This report details the histopathologic changes in the lung seen following polymer fragmentation and embolization from a central venous catheter. Polymer emboli detected microscopically are intravascular and consist of basophilic, lamellated, and nonrefractile elements. Typically, an inflammatory response is present to a variable degree. Embolization can result in severe tissue injury with ischemia and infarction.