Unsuspected self-poisoning with flecainide and alcohol. 1995

D W Sadler, and C Quigley
Department of Forensic Medicine, Dundee Royal Infirmary, Scotland.

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.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D008297 Male Males
D002849 Chromatography, Gas Fractionation of a vaporized sample as a consequence of partition between a mobile gaseous phase and a stationary phase held in a column. Two types are gas-solid chromatography, where the fixed phase is a solid, and gas-liquid, in which the stationary phase is a nonvolatile liquid supported on an inert solid matrix. Chromatography, Gas-Liquid,Gas Chromatography,Chromatographies, Gas,Chromatographies, Gas-Liquid,Chromatography, Gas Liquid,Gas Chromatographies,Gas-Liquid Chromatographies,Gas-Liquid Chromatography
D002851 Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Liquid chromatographic techniques which feature high inlet pressures, high sensitivity, and high speed. Chromatography, High Performance Liquid,Chromatography, High Speed Liquid,Chromatography, Liquid, High Pressure,HPLC,High Performance Liquid Chromatography,High-Performance Liquid Chromatography,UPLC,Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography,Chromatography, High-Performance Liquid,High-Performance Liquid Chromatographies,Liquid Chromatography, High-Performance
D005424 Flecainide A potent anti-arrhythmia agent, effective in a wide range of ventricular and atrial ARRHYTHMIAS and TACHYCARDIAS. Flecainide Acetate,Apocard,Flecadura,Flecainid-Isis,Flecainide Monoacetate,Flecainide Monoacetate, (+-)-Isomer,Flecainide Monoacetate, (R)-Isomer,Flecainide Monoacetate, (S)-Isomer,Flecainide, (R)-Isomer,Flecainide, (S)-Isomer,Flecainide, 5-HO-N-(6-oxo)-Derivative,Flecainide, 5-HO-N-(6-oxo)-Derivative, (+-)-Isomer,Flecatab,Flécaïne,R818,Tambocor,Flecainid Isis
D005766 Gastrointestinal Contents The contents included in all or any segment of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. Digestive Tract Contents,Intestinal Contents,Stomach Contents,GI Contents,Digestive Tract Content,GI Content,Gastrointestinal Content,Intestinal Content,Stomach Content
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000431 Ethanol A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D013405 Suicide The act of killing oneself. Suicides

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