Coroner's Finding: Petterwood, Michael Lewis
Deceased
Michael Lewis Petterwood
Demographics
59y, male
Date of death
2019-09-25
Finding date
2020-04-20
Cause of death
atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease
AI-generated summary
Michael Lewis Petterwood, a 59-year-old zinc smelter worker with 32 years at his employer, collapsed suddenly at work and died of atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease. Autopsy revealed severe coronary stenosis (80% of left main/LAD), obesity, and previously undetected chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Seven weeks before death, occupational health screening identified cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol) with a referral letter for GP follow-up, which he did not pursue. He collapsed during routine work operations and despite immediate CPR by colleagues and paramedics, could not be resuscitated. Comprehensive investigation excluded harmful sulphur dioxide exposure as contributing to death. Clinical lessons: pre-employment screening identified modifiable cardiovascular risk factors; the deceased's failure to follow up with GP advice represents a missed opportunity for risk stratification and potential preventive intervention before acute cardiac event.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- severe coronary artery stenosis (80% of left main and proximal LAD)
- obesity
- chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
- hypertension
- smoking
- high cholesterol
- failure to follow up on occupational health screening recommendations
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