Sequelae of Traumatic Injuries and Causes of Death

Commentary on: Lee N, Chan S. Isolated injury of the caudate lobe of the liver due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. J Forensic Sci. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556‐4029.15459. Epub 2024 Jan 17

“…Despite the significant amount of blood in the abdomen-there was 3.4 L of blood and blood clots within the peritoneal cavity [1], the cause of death was not exsanguination, as the authors correctly concluded. Blood constitutes approximately 7% of the body weight in adults (60-80 mL/kg of body weight), and death occurs following acute blood loss of approximately 40% of total blood volume [2]. In the reported case, the deceased body weight was 93 kg, meaning significantly less blood loss, that is, c. 2.6 L could have led to exsanguination.…”

Regarding the vitality of the gastric mucosal tears in the case of exsanguination

“…Blood constitutes approximately 7 % of body weight [2] and death by exsanguination occurs following an acute blood loss of approximately 40 % of total blood volume [3]. Centralization of the blood flow is an established compensatory mechanism in shock.…”