Citation

Dokter M, Talarico G, Armbrust S, Below E, Bockholdt B. Anaesthesist 2018; 67(5): 359-361.

Vernacular Title

Tödliche Flecainidintoxikation eines 17-jährigen Mädchens.

Affiliation

Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Kuhstraße 30, 17489, Greifswald, Deutschland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00101-018-0434-5

PMID

29594407

Abstract

A 17-year-old girl was found vomiting and somnolent at home and was taken to a hospital. The girl initially presented with ventricular tachycardia with broad QRS complexes which was very difficult to control. During the course a subsequent cardiogenic shock developed and despite exhaustion of all therapeutic options the fatal outcome could not be averted. The medicolegal autopsy revealed no evidence of any form of violence but the signs of medical treatment. Furthermore, no pathology of internal organs was detected. The toxicological analyses revealed a lethal intoxication with flecainide (a cardiac antiarrhythmic agent) as the cause of death. The investigations of the police indicated that the girl took flecainide in suicidal intention.

Language: de

Keywords

Antiarrhythmic; Class-Ic; Intoxication; Suicide; Ventricular tachycardia