A Study of the Myocardial Depressant Factor and Its Relative Influence in Drug/Alcohol Mortality
Manning, TJ
Chief toxicologist, forensic medical investigator, and chief medical examiner, respectively, Nassau County Medical Examiner's Office, East Meadow, N.Y.

Williams, LE
Director of cardiac and cardiovascular surgery, Nassau County Medical Center, East Meadow, N.Y.

Lynch, VD
Professor and chairman, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and associate professor of pharmacology, respectively, St. John's University, Jamaica, N.Y.

Bidanset, JH
Professor and chairman, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and associate professor of pharmacology, respectively, St. John's University, Jamaica, N.Y.

Drake, W
Chief toxicologist, forensic medical investigator, and chief medical examiner, respectively, Nassau County Medical Examiner's Office, East Meadow, N.Y.

Lukash, L
Chief toxicologist, forensic medical investigator, and chief medical examiner, respectively, Nassau County Medical Examiner's Office, East Meadow, N.Y.


Abstract
A shock factor, a low molecular weight peptide, has been isolated from post-mortem blood. High levels of this peptide, which depresses the myocardium, were seen in cases where drug overdose or alcoholism, or both, were the cause of death. An elevated myocardial depressant factor (MDF) level was also demonstrated in a fire victim and a patient in cardiogenic shock. The peptide analysis was accomplished by using an isolated cat papillary muscle followed by paper chromatographic confirmation. Postmortem electrolytes, alcohol, and various toxic agents were eliminated as causes of myocardial depression in the isolated cat papillary muscle assay. The presence of elevated MDF levels may be significant in the overall death process.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, cardiovascular system, death

Paper ID: JFS253800550

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Author Manning TJ, Williams LE, Lynch VD, Bidanset JH, Drake W, Lukash L Title A Study of the Myocardial Depressant Factor and Its Relative Influence in Drug/Alcohol Mortality Symposium , Committee on