Asphyxia

Beta Ahlam Gizela

Asphyxia

• Asphyxiation, from the Greek literally means "without heartbeat”

• A condition in which insufficient or no oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged on a ventilation basis.

Special Definition

• The condition of lacking oxygen or being unable to breath.

• A pathological condition caused by lack of oxygen, manifested in impending or actual cessation of life.

Forensic pathology

• In the field of forensic pathology, asphyxia is considered to be a consequence of a struggle to breathe against some mechanical interference with respiration.

Cause

• Mechanical– Chocking, smothering, strangulation, etc

• Disease – Seizure, sleep apnea, acute respiratory distress syndrome, etc

• Chemical– Carbon monoxide inhalation, drug overdose, contact with certain

chemicals, including pulmonary agents (such as phosgene) and blood agents (such as hydrogen cyanide), etc

• Physical – Self-induced hypocapnia by hyperventilation, as in shallow water

or deep water blackout – Exposure to extreme low pressure or vacuum, etc

General Autopsy Findings in Asphyxial Deaths

• Their prominence will vary with individual cases and petechial hemorrhages, in particular, may be completely absent, or extremely rare.

• It is also important to note that all of the findings in asphyxial deaths may be found, on occasion, in other circumstances.

General Autopsy Findings in Asphyxial Deaths

• Pulmonary edema, with froth in trachea and bronchi.

• Bulky, crepitant and over‑distended lungs.

• Right ventricular dilatation.

• Petechial hemorrhages on the conjunctival and facial tissue, usually above the level of the airway obstruction in strangulation cases.