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Mechanism of death in avalanche victims.

Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological anatomy and histopathology (1989-01-01)
H Stalsberg, C Albretsen, M Gilbert, M Kearney, E Moestue, I Nordrum, M Rostrup, A Orbo
ABSTRACT

The autopsies of 12 victims from two snow avalanches in North-Norway are reported. Supportive evidence from non-autopsied and surviving victims is included. Consistent autopsy findings were prominent lung oedema, moderate cerebral oedema, extreme contraction of the left ventricle, petechiae in the superior vena cava drainage area, and acute congestion in lungs and kidneys. In four cases in whom no resuscitation was attempted, aortic oxygen pressure was in the range expected in pure asphyxial-type deaths in one and in pure cardiac-type deaths in three. No air pocket was seen in front of the mouth and nose in any of the fatal cases. Three fatal cases had fractures. It is concluded that the immediate cause of death in most cases was general body compression with acute respiratory and circulatory failure.

MATERIALS
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Brand
Product Description

Supelco
ORBO 402 Tenax® TA specially treated (35/60), 100/50 mg, W,W,W separators, O.D. × L 8 mm × 100 mm, pkg of 50 ea
Supelco
ORBO 609 Amberlite XAD®-2 (20/50) 400/200 mg, W,W,W separators, O.D. × L 8 mm × 110 mm, pkg of 50 ea
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ORBO 49P (OVS) Supelpak-20 specially treated Amberlite XAD®-2 (20/40), 270/140 mg, RC,GFF,F,F (specially cleaned) separators, O.D. × L 13-8 mm × 75 mm , OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS) Tube, pkg of 10 ea
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ORBO 502 Activated Silica Gel (20/45) 100/50 mg, W,W,F separators, O.D. × L 6 mm × 75 mm, pkg of 50 ea
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ORBO 53 Activated Silica Gel (20/40) specially cleaned, 400/200 mg with Glass Fiber Filters, GFF,F,F separators, O.D. × L 7 mm × 100 mm, pkg of 50 ea
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ORBO 554 H2SO4 on Silica Gel (20/40) 150/75 mg, W,W,W separators, O.D. × L 6 mm × 75 mm, pkg of 50 ea
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ORBO 80 Coated Filter, with cassettes unassembled
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ORBO 23 2-HMP on Amberlite XAD®-2 (20/40), 120/60 mg, W,W,W separators, O.D. × L 6 mm × 85 mm, pkg of 25 ea
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ORBO 90 Carboxen® 564 (20/45), 160/80 mg, W,F,F separators, O.D. × L 6 mm × 75 mm, pkg of 25 ea, for analyte group MEK (methylethyl ketone)
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ORBO 65P (OVS) Amberlite XAD®-4 specially cleaned, 160/80 mg, RC,GFF,F,F (specially cleaned) separators, O.D. × L 13-8 mm × 75 mm , OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS), pkg of 10 ea
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ORBO 24 2-HMP on Amberlite XAD®-2 (20/40), 150/75 mg, W,W,W separators, O.D. × L 6 mm × 105 mm, pkg of 25 ea
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ORBO 80 Isocyanate Filter, with cassettes: no, filter O.D. 37 mm, pkg of 25 ea
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ORBO 92 Carboxen® 564 (20/45), 160/80 mg, W,F,F separators, O.D. × L 6 mm × 75 mm, pkg of 25 ea, for analyte group Vinyl acetate
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ORBO 52 Small Activated Silica Gel (20/40) 150/75 mg, pk 50, W,W,F separators, O.D. × L 6 mm × 75 mm, pkg of 50 ea
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ORBO 43 Supelpak-20 specially treated Amberlite XAD®-2 (20/40), 100/50 mg, W,W,W (specially treated) separators, O.D. × L 8 mm × 100 mm, pkg of 50 ea