The heart of Blessed Anne-Madeleine Remuzat: a biomedical approach of “miraculous” heart conservation - Archive ouverte HAL Access content directly
Journal Articles Cardiovascular Pathology Year : 2014

The heart of Blessed Anne-Madeleine Remuzat: a biomedical approach of “miraculous” heart conservation

Joel Poupon
  • Function : Author
  • PersonId : 910538
Carles Lalueza-Fox
Speranta - Maria Popescu
  • Function : Author
  • PersonId : 856978
Sylvia Pietri
  • Function : Author
  • PersonId : 952783
Agathe Hurel
  • Function : Author
  • PersonId : 965924

Abstract

We present here the results of our inter-disciplinary examination of the mummified heart of Blessed Anne-Madeleine Remuzat (1696–1730). This organ has been examined in the context of a canonization process. This analysis is related to important aspects of the early history of anatomy in Europe, that of “Holy autopsies”, and to the relationship between anatomical investigations, Catholic theology, and religious/medical customs. According to anatomical, genetic, toxicological, and palynological analyses, it has been shown that this organ has not been naturally (“miraculously”) conserved but embalmed using myrtle, honey, and lime. Moreover, a right ventricle dilatation has been diagnosed, that may represent a post-tuberculosis condition and may have played a role in the cause of death of this religious figure.
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Dates and versions

hal-01145528 , version 1 (24-04-2015)

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Philippe Charlier, Isabelle Huynh-Charlier, Joel Poupon, Carles Lalueza-Fox, Christine Keyser, et al.. The heart of Blessed Anne-Madeleine Remuzat: a biomedical approach of “miraculous” heart conservation. Cardiovascular Pathology, 2014, 23, pp.344-350. ⟨10.1016/j.carpath.2014.07.005⟩. ⟨hal-01145528⟩
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