Summary
The pathomorphological and toxicological findings of a case of fatal overdose of propoxyphene are reported. The chemico-toxicological findings revealed the presence of only one active substance that has been administered (in an amount of not less than 1.5 g dextropropoxyphene) in form of an analgesic tablet preparation (marketed under the trade name Dolo-Neurotrat), in which it represents the main active constituent.
The most striking histological findings are the changes in the myocardium which are consistent with cardiotoxicity. It is suggested that an estimation of shock duration by means of pathomorphological findings in combination with toxicological and other data be utilised for survival time determination.
Zusammenfassung
Es wird über die pathomorphologischen und toxikologischen Befunde bei einer tödlichen Propoxyphenvergiftung berichtet. Nach den chemisch-toxikologischen Befunden lag die alleinige Einnahme dieses Wirkstoffes vor. Diese war mittels des Analgeticums Dolo-Neurotrat in einer Mindestmenge von 1,5 g Dextropropoxyphen HCl erfolgt.
Die auffälligsten histologischen Veränderungen fanden sich am Myocard. Die Befunde sind mit Cardiotoxicität vereinbar. Für die Überlebenszeit- bzw. Todeszeitschätzung wäre es zweckmäßig, auch die Schockdauer aus den histologischen Befunden zu schätzen und mitzubewerten.
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Ogbuihi, S., Bohn, G. & Audick, W. Fatal case of propoxyphene overdose. Z Rechtsmed 84, 161–166 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02114586
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02114586