Inquest into the death of Krista Lloyd

36y · Female·myocardial infarction as a consequence of severe focal coronary artery atherosclerosis

Krista Lloyd, 36-year-old woman with undiagnosed coronary artery disease presenting with prior chest pain radiating to neck/jaw, suffered sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on 1 May 2015 at home. Initial ECG showed poor R wave progression; stress testing was ordered but not documented as completed. She arrested while vomiting, aspirated, and despite prompt CPR and resuscitation efforts including adrenaline and defibrillation, developed refractory hypoxia and died 6 hours after hospital admission. The clinical lesson involves recognising anginal symptoms in young women (which may be atypical), ensuring completion of stress testing, and recognising aspiration during acute illness. The case also highlights systemic delays in autopsy reporting and coronial investigation that prolonged family distress.