Coroner Says Wrestler Was Victim of Heart Defect

Jason Rouimi, the Agoura High wrestler who collapsed and died shortly after winning a match Feb. 15, was the victim of a congenital heart defect, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.

A spokesman said Rouimi’s death was caused by a “congenital coronary artery anomaly.”

Rouimi’s left main coronary artery was coming from the pulmonary artery instead of the aorta, the coroner’s office said. This resulted in oxygen-poor blood.

Tim Fischell, a cardiologist at Stanford University, said such a defect is uncommon and that most born with it die during infancy. “The fact (Rouimi) lived for 16 years is definitely the exception and not the rule,” Fischell said.

Rouimi collapsed shortly after winning a Southern Section Division 4-A qualifying match at Rio Hondo College. He received cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the scene, but died an hour later at El Monte Community Hospital in South El Monte.