Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Autopsy report synopsis

By BRENDAN WATSON
Published June 15, 2005

Below is a synopsis of the key findings from the autopsy report prepared by Dr. Jon R. Thogmartin, Chief Medical Examiner, on Terri Schiavo.

The autopsy performed by the Pinellas-Pasco medical examiner's office included over 200 photographs and X-rays, as well as dissection and analysis of key components of her central nervous system and cardiac tissue.

A neuropatholigist and an Anatomic/Clinical/Foresnsic Pathologist analyzed these samples.

Key questions and findings:

What caused Terri Schiavo to collapse in 1990?:

The autopsy revealed low levels of potassium and other abnormal blood values: The most significant were decreases in her hemoglobin, hematocrit, urea nitrogen, albumin, total protein, globulin, and calcium.

There was no evidence of an eating disorder, as these abnormal blood values could be the result of the treatment, including intravenous fluids, she received following her collapse:

Although in the malpractice proceedings the low protein values were suggested as indicators of malnutrition, this is unlikely and not generally characteristic of Bulimia Nervosa.

The toxicity report from 1990 was inconclusive.

There was no evidence of a heart attack: Mrs. Schiavo's heart was anatomically normal without any areas of recent or remote myocardial infraction.

No trauma was noted on any of the numerous physical exams or radiographs performed on Mrs. Schiavo on the day of, in the days after, or in the months after her initial collapse.

The autopsy could not determine the cause of Terri Schiavo's collapse. Possibilities? Subtle trauma related to commotio cordis or nontraumatic asphyxia is also possible, but no evidence of this exists.

Drugs/toxins not typically detected by hospital toxicology testing are also possible.

An underlying, undiagnosed cardiac anomaly is possible but diagnostics at that time along with postmortem examination of the heart were negative.

Could Mrs. Schiavo eat by mouth?

No: Mrs. Schiavo would not have been able to consume sustenance safely and/or in sufficient quantity by mouth. In fact, the records and findings are such that oral feedings in quantities sufficient to sustain life would have certainly resulted in aspiration. Thus, Mrs. Schiavo was dependent on nutrition and hydration via her feeding tube.

After her initial collapse, was Terri Schiavo given substances to speed her demise or otherwise alter her medical condition?

No. Allegations surfaced in 1996, 2003 and in the last days of her life that Terri Schiavo had been given harmful substances. The medical examiner concluded that, There is no evidence to support or the evidence does not support that Mrs. Schiavo was given harmful substances related to these incidents.

Was Terri Schiavo in a persistent vegetative state (PVS)?

This can't be determined posthumously, though the findings of the autopsy were not inconsistent with this diagnosis: PVS is a clinical diagnosis arrived at through physical examination of living patients.

What diagnosis can be made in regards to the brain of Mrs. Schiavo?

Her brain weight was approximately half of the expected weight. Of particular importance was the hypoxic damage and neuronal loss in her occipital lobes, which indicates cortical blindness.

How did Terri Schiavo die?

Postmortem findings-show that she died of marked dehydration.

What was the cause and manner of death?

Mrs. Schiavo suffered severe anoxic brain injury. The cause of which cannot be determined with reasonable medical certainty. The manner of death will therefore be certified as undetermined.

[Last modified June 20, 2005, 13:54:21]