@article{ref1,
title="Blood cocaine and metabolite pharmacokinetics after cardiac arrest in a body-packer case",
journal="Human and experimental toxicology",
year="2010",
author="de Prost, Nicolas and Megarbane, Bruno and Questel, Frank and Bloch, Vanessa and Cantin Bertaux, Delphine and Pourriat, Jean Louis and Rabbat, Antoine",
volume="29",
number="1",
pages="49-53",
abstract="Introduction: Cocaine body packing, the internal concealment of cocaine for transportation between countries, may expose to life-threatening intoxications. No data is currently available on the pharmacokinetics of cocaine and its metabolites when a packet rupture occurs in a body packer. Case report: We report the first pharmacokinetic data associated with a severe cocaine intoxication in a body packer, resulting in cardiac arrest. Massive concentrations of cocaine (observed maximal concentration: 1.66 mg/L, 1 hour after the cardiac arrest) were measured in plasma up to about 15 hours, suggesting a prolonged absorption due to a slow-release in the gastrointestinal tract despite surgical extraction of the packets. Apparent cocaine elimination half-life was 7.6 hours. Conclusion: A prolonged apparent cocaine elimination half-life has been observed. Further pharmacokinetic studies are needed to understand better the pathophysiology of acute cocaine intoxication in body packers.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0960-3271",
doi="10.1177/0960327109354940",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0960327109354940"
}