Cheraponov's Death Ruled from Blood Doping

In a report issued earlier this week by investigators and K.H.L officials, it was concluded that Russian prospect Alexei Cherepanov, had the drug of Kordiamin in his system at his time of death. The Kordiamin drug, is a "blood doping" stimulant and is primarily used to strengthen the heart and respiratory organs of the body.

Earlier this season, Cheraponov was playing in an overseas game in KHL and collapsed suddenly on the bench. Just minutes after being brought to the medical trainer's office, he became unresponsive and died minutes before paramedics arrived at the arena. At his time of death it was originally discovered he suffered from Chronic Miochardia, a rare disease that exists between aorta and the intestinal system.

In the same report that was issued this week, it did show Cheraponov suffered a heart disease, one stronger then initially reported. The disease classified as Myocarditis is a severe inflammation in the heart muscle. This disease is very strong to the respiratory system to the point if not treated properly it is often linked to sudden death as it did with Cheraponov. 

Now, three months after this tragedy has occurred there are several key questions that still need be answered. Did Cherepanov know on any level that doping his blood could have fatal affects even at his age? How could doctors not discover an inflamed heart muscle after months of physical intense training in both Russia and America? And finally,was the price of stardom so grand for Cherepanov or any athlete at his age that he would dare risk his life just for brief a chance of super stardom.

http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/hockey-night-in-europe-investigators-say-cherepanov-was-doping/