Citation

Leth PM, Thomsen JL. Ugeskr. Laeger 2012; 174(40): 2369-2372.

Affiliation

Retsmedicinsk Institut, Syddansk Universitet, J.B. Winsløws Vej 17, 5000 Odense. pleth@health.sdu.dk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Den Alm Danske Laegerforening)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23031297

Abstract

Cardiac arrest may occur while persons are being kept in hobble restraint. It has been suggested that asphyxia caused by the restraint position, so-called restraint asphyxia, is the cause, but experimental evidence has not confirmed this theory. Some of the sudden deaths are associated with excited delirium syndrome (EDS), an acute condition characterized by a hyperactive, combative behaviour in individuals, who are influenced by psychoactive drugs or suffer from psychiatric illness. Autopsy findings fail to explain this type of deaths. The pathophysiology of EDS is complex and poorly understood. Sensibilisation of the heart by a hyperadrenergic autonomous dysfunction, metabolic acidosis and hyperthermia offer possible mechanisms.

Language: da