Postmortem Intravascular High-density Fluid Level (Hypostasis): CT Findings

Abstract

To evaluate postmortem CT (PMCT) finding of hypostasis. PMCT examinations were performed within 2 hours of death in 126 patients who arrived at our institution in nontraumatic cardiopulmonary arrest. PMCT showed hypostasis as high-density fluid level in the lumen of the heart or great vessels in 66 of 126 patients (52%). Hypostasis is observed as an intravascular high-density fluid level on PMCT.