ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 3

Unsuspected Self-Poisoning with Flecainide and Alcohol
Quigley, C
Tayside Police Forensic Science Laboratory,

Sadler, DW
Dundee Royal Infirmary,

(Received 27 December 1994; accepted 28 February 1995)

Abstract

The death of a 23-year-old man by suicidal flecainide and alcohol poisoning is reported. Flecainide was identified by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Flecainide levels, quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection were: femoral blood 7.3 mg/L, urine 117 mg/L, stomach contents 19 mg and liver 302 mg/kg. Ethanol levels in femoral blood, urine and vitreous humor were 107, 136 and 113 mg%, respectively. The importance of carefully considering all the available pathological and toxicological data, together with the past medical history and circumstances surrounding the death in poisoning cases is emphasized.

Keywords:
toxicology, poisoning, flecainide, redistribution

Paper ID: JFS15408J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15408J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.