Gastric mucosal tears and wall micro perforations after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a drowning case

A fifty year-old woman died after drowning in a swimming-pool. Rescue and ambulance paramedic teams started resuscitation attempts followed by a medical care helicopter team. Acute haematemesis, mucosal tears and gastric micro perforations occurred, due to the cardiorespiratory resuscitation manoeuvres. Death occurred seven days later due to the cerebral anoxia and multiorgan failure. Forensic investigations excluded possible malpractice during external cardiac massage as responsible for the woman's death, while Judicial Authority considered the death as the consequence of the delayed intervention of the swimming-pool rescue team.