Autopsy on rapper's mom inconclusive

LOS ANGELES — Kanye West's mother most likely died of heart disease coupled with complications after plastic surgery, but the cause of death can't be known, coroner's officials said Thursday.

Donda West, 58, died Nov. 10 at a Los Angeles-area hospital, a day after she had breast-reduction, tummy-tuck and liposuction procedures.

An autopsy report noted that West had coronary-artery disease, including blockages of 50 percent to 70 percent in two arteries. The 5-foot-2-inch, 188-pound woman also was overweight and had developed several complications after surgery, including bronchopneumonia in one lung, according to the report.

The investigation found "therapeutic levels of medication" in West's body but no unusually high levels and no internal bleeding.

"It is my opinion Ms. West died from some pre-existing coronary-artery disease and multiple postoperative factors following surgery," Dr. Louis Pena, a deputy medical examiner, said in the report.

A representative for Kanye West declined to comment.

Studies have shown serious complications from plastic surgery are rare, with death occurring in 1 in 58,810 procedures.

Dr. Jan Adams, who operated on West, has denied any wrongdoing. He has repeatedly suggested other causes of death, including heart attack, pulmonary embolism or accidental overdose of painkillers prescribed after the cosmetic surgery.

"The coroner's report confirms what we have always believed. Until further discussion with the West family we have no additional comment," Adams said in an e-mail.

According to West's autopsy report, she underwent cosmetic surgery Nov. 9 and went home that day, "even though she was advised that she receive postoperative care at another facility."

Her first day home she was walking around and appeared fine, according to the autopsy report. She did complain of pain, including chest discomfort that coroner's investigators said could have been caused by tight bandages on her torso, put there after surgery.

The next day she developed trouble breathing and died soon afterward. The report said the pneumonia could have restricted her breathing enough that the decreased oxygen supply to her heart triggered death.

Five months before her death, West had approached plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Aboolian, who was concerned about a pre-existing condition he said could cause a heart attack during surgery. Aboolian did not operate on her.