Boy who died on Disney coaster (RNRC) had genetic heart defect, final autopsy shows

[degunter]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The 12-year-old boy who died after riding a Walt Disney World roller coaster had a genetic heart defect that often goes undetected until the person dies.

According to a final autopsy released Friday Michael Russell, of Fort Campbell, Kentucky had an abnormal aortic valve with only two flaps instead of three. There was also evidence of narrowing of the aorta.

Russell's autopsy was done one day after he stopped breathing while riding Disney MGM's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in June 2006. The boy was limp when the ride ended and his father immediately attempted CPR after the minute-long ride, but the boy later died at nearby Celebration Hospital.

Russell was born with the defects, which often go unnoticed and can cause heart failure "at any moment.

Disney has reported nine deaths to the state since 2001.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=41169

 

[Trishnh]

so sad and very scary It must be heartbreaking for the family to have something like this happen at the "happiest place on Earth" even if it is no fault of Disney's. It is so scary to think your child might be walking around with an undiagnosed heart defect and could suddenly die at any time. I have a child with a heart defect and am so thankful that it was diagnosed and repaired, but there is still that fear in the back of my head

 

[katie1335]

:dazzle: how sad that boy's family must be heart broken

 

[FruitSmile]

Yes, I'm scared of coasters, so I have no problem with it.. Some people say to visit the doctor before going to a Disney Park or such..

 

[The Mom]

Yes, I'm scared of coasters, so I have no problem with it.. Some people say to visit the doctor before going to a Disney Park or such..

Unfortunately, this problem probably would not be discovered on a routine visit. It would require more extensive testing than a quick listen to your heart...unless the doctor was lucky enough to catch something at that particular moment which would make him suspicious. Sometimes, this problem can exist for years without causing anything noticable on physical exam..ie, an arrythmia or murmur, that a pediatrician would pick up on.

I have a minor cardiac problem which didn't cause any noticable symptoms until my last pregnancy...at age 42. It is a congenital defect, but had never caused any obvious problems. (Although, in retrospect, they were there.)

 

[FruitSmile]

Unfortunately, this problem probably would not be discovered on a routine visit. It would require more extensive testing than a quick listen to your heart...unless the doctor was lucky enough to catch something at that particular moment which would make him suspicious. Sometimes, this problem can exist for years without causing anything noticable on physical exam..ie, an arrythmia or murmur, that a pediatrician would pick up on.

I have a minor cardiac problem which didn't cause any noticable symptoms until my last pregnancy...at age 42. It is a congenital defect, but had never caused any obvious problems. (Although, in retrospect, they were there.)

Oh.. LOL sorry didn't know all that info!