Supposedly, the toxins are usually not enough to cause death but being that it was in the heart and directly in the main blood supply it could have caused significant problems, also with the barb being in the heart, which continued to move around the barb it would have increased the size of the hole just by beating. the length of time that it took to get him to the island to be flighted out, he would have been dead anyway. it just would have taken a bit longer and been more painful. Then on the other hand, anything going directly into the heart can cause it to go into shock and cause irratic beating which would have caused the heart to be ineffective. First Aid 101, never pull anything out. But, it probably was a blessing in this case.
The autopsy said the toxins weren't the cause of death, but they probably contributed.
Sad for his family and the world.
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