Finding into death of Phong Cao

39y · Male·Haemorrhage from right groin wound

A 39-year-old man with extensive intravenous drug use history died from haemorrhage following rupture of a femoral artery aneurysm during a groin injection attempt. He had previously been admitted for arterial repair from similar drug-related injury in January 2011. At autopsy, a femoral artery aneurysm communicating with a fibrosed femoral vein was identified. The aneurysm likely ruptured during injection attempts, causing fatal haemorrhage. Clinically, this case highlights the serious vascular complications of repeated groin injection in drug users, including mycotic aneurysm formation. The prior admission provided an opportunity for intervention and harm reduction counselling to prevent recurrence, though the case illustrates the challenges in preventing death in active drug users.