Premium
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (“Bath Salts”),Related Death: Case Report and Review of the Literature ,
Author(s) -
Kesha Kilak,
Boggs Cassie L.,
Ripple Mary G.,
Allan Carol H.,
Levine Barry,
JuferPhipps Rebecca,
Doyon Suzanne,
Chi PaoLin,
Fowler David R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12202
Subject(s) - polysubstance dependence , designer drug , medicine , stimulant , delirium , cathinone , forensic toxicology , drug , anesthesia , pharmacology , psychiatry , substance abuse , amphetamine , chemistry , chromatography , dopamine
Cathinone derivatives (bath salts) have emerged as the latest drugs of abuse. 3,4‐methylenedioxypyrovalerone ( MDPV ) is the primary active ingredient in bath salts used in this country. This article presents the second reported cause of death by MDPV intoxication alone. In April 2011, a delusional man was emergently brought to a hospital, where he self‐reported bath salt usage. He became agitated, developed ventricular tachycardia, hyperthermia, and died. Comprehensive alcohol and drug testing was performed. Using the alkaline drug screen, heart blood contained 0.7 mg/L MDPV and peripheral blood contained 1.0 mg/L MDPV . His bizarre behavior with life‐threatening hyperthermia was consistent with an MDPV ‐induced excited delirium state. MDPV is not yet found by routine immunoassay toxicology screens. Testing for MDPV should be considered in cases with a history of polysubstance abuse with stimulant type drugs, report of acute onset of psychogenic symptoms, excited delirium syndrome, or presentation in a hyperthermic state.