Vision of the causes of death by COVID-19 with the experiences of autopsies

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared SARS-CoV-2 infection an international public health emergency. The autopsy, considered the best method of studying the patient and the disease, corroborates that patients can die from the direct action of the virus (who died from COVID-19), while others positive for SARS-CoV-2 did not show morphological lung changes attributed to the action of the virus. It is proposed to establish the morphological diagnostic criteria in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 epidemic in the deceased in Cuba based on the systematic study of autopsies. The morphological patterns that are established in the lungs of patients who died under the effect of COVID-19 have been identified. The pulmonary edema of permeability with the widening of the pulmonary septum, the deposit of the disorganized hyaline membrane inside the alveoli, the detachment of epithelial cells (pneumocytes and bronchial and bronchiolar cells), followed by epithelial hyperplasia with sometimes the presence of metaplastic changes and atypia, and finally, fibrosis. When autopsies are performed, it is possible to locate each disease in its place, in chronopathogram, which allows death certificates repair to be carried out to assess the place that COVID-19 has occupied as a cause of death in the population studied. In the opinion of the group, identifying morphological alterations is essential to prepare the chronopathogram of the deceased and the adequate clinical-pathological evaluation of the patient. © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Experience in autopsies of deceased with covid-19 in the central military hospital “dr. Luis díaz soto”

Introduction: The autopsy is a strength of the Cuban health system. Its implementation with the appropriate methodology to deceased confirmed to COVID-19 at the Central Military Hospital “Dr. Luis Díaz Soto”, allowed their more adequate study. Objective: To identify the demographic characteristics, concomitant diseases and morphological alterations found in the autopsies of deceased confirmed to COVID-19. Methods: A descriptive study of the 10 partial autopsies performed on confirmed deaths of COVID-19 between March and June 2020 was carried out, according to the methodology used to carry out these autopsies in the process of coping with this disease. Results: The male sex and the age group 70-79 years corresponded to 60% of the cases studied. Bacterial bronchopneumonia predominated in direct causes of death, as a complication of the process produced by COVID-19 and in relation to other basic causes. The deceased had between 3 to 6 associated comorbidities. Conclusions: The age groups most affected were between 70 and 79 years old with equivalence in both sexes. Comorbidities contribute to worsening the prognosis of these deceased, with a predominance of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The manifestations of the systemic inflammatory response present as complications in them. Mortality from COVID-19 as a cause of death affected less than half of the cases studied, with respiratory and cardiac expression due to the action of the virus. © 2020, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Autopsy methodology in the process of confronting covid-19

Autopsy, the most complete method for the study of diseases, is necessary in epidemic contingencies due to its contributions in the study of causes of death. The purpose of the authors is to show the experiences in the preparation and realization of the autopsies in the confrontation with the COVID-19 in a hospital of attention to patients with suspicion and confirmed in the epidemic. The experience in the organization and execution of the autopsies of deceased suspects and positive to COVID-19 at the Hospital Militar Central Dr. Luis Díaz Soto, carrying out the procedures under biosafety conditions, the diagnostic work and discussion of the results. In this process, the use of the specialized computerization media and the discussions and analysis of deceased were maintained, including as part of the debates in the special working group of the specialty at the national level. Carrying out autopsies of deceased suspects or confirmed COVID-19 patients, even under special conditions, in the context of the pandemic has provided important results for the analysis of mortality in the country. It is important to highlight the value of discussions of mortality analysis that enrich the results. © 2020, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.