Fatal Laughter
Authors: Rajendra Kadari, Michael A. Sarche, Mori J. Krantz
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2012)

Letters20 November 2012Fatal LaughterRajendra Kadari, MD, MPH, Michael A. Sarche, MD, and Mori J. Krantz, MD, MPHRajendra Kadari, MD, MPHFrom University of Colorado, Aurora CO 80045; and Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO 80204.Search for more papers by this author, Michael A. Sarche, MDFrom University of Colorado, Aurora CO 80045; and Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO 80204.Search for more papers by this author, and Mori J. Krantz, MD, MPHFrom University of Colorado, Aurora CO 80045; and Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO 80204.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-10-201211200-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: In the 5th century BCE, the Greek painter Zeuxis reportedly died while laughing at his painting of Aphrodite, which was commissioned by a woman who demanded that she be the model. In the 3rd century BCE, the Greek philosopher Chrysippus reportedly died laughing after giving his donkey wine and watching it try to eat figs (1). Although the expression “died laughing” is a common colloquialism, we are not aware of any contemporary reports of laughter-induced death, although there are reports of laughter-induced seizures (2) and laughter-induced syncope (3).Objective: To describe a case of laughter-induced death.Case Report: Physicians ...References1. Bowler P, Green J. What a Way to Go: Some of the Strangest Deaths on Record. London: Chancellor Pr; 1983. Google Scholar2. Cheung CS, Parrent AG, Burneo JG. Gelastic seizures: not always hypothalamic hamartoma. Epileptic Disord. 2007;9:453-8. [PMID: 18077234] MedlineGoogle Scholar3. Bloomfield D, Jazrawi S. Shear hilarity leading to laugh syncope in a healthy man [Letter]. JAMA. 2005;293:2863-4. [PMID: 15956630] MedlineGoogle Scholar4. Wesley RC, Turnquest P. Torsades de pointe after intravenous adenosine in the presence of prolonged QT syndrome. Am Heart J. 1992;123:794-6. [PMID: 1539535] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. De Mattia L, Brieda M, Del Bianco F, Dametto E, Nicolosi GL. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia induced by Valsalva manoeuvre in a patient with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Europace. 2012;14:767-8. [PMID: 22117036] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Miller M, Fry WF. The effect of mirthful laughter on the human cardiovascular system. Med Hypotheses. 2009;73:636-9. [PMID: 19477604] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Colorado, Aurora CO 80045; and Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO 80204.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByCataplexy and Its Mimics: Clinical Recognition and Management 20 November 2012Volume 157, Issue 10Page: 756KeywordsAutopsyBradycardiaEmotionsHeartLesionsSchizophreniaSyncopeWine ePublished: 20 November 2012 Issue Published: 20 November 2012 CopyrightCopyright © 2012 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...