[Fatal flecainide intoxication in a 17-year-old girl]

Anaesthesist. 2018 May;67(5):359-361. doi: 10.1007/s00101-018-0434-5. Epub 2018 Mar 28.
[Article in German]

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 as the cause of death. The investigations of the police indicated that the girl took flecainide in suicidal intention.

Keywords: Antiarrhythmic; Class-Ic; Intoxication; Suicide; Ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / poisoning*
  • Autopsy
  • Drug Overdose
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Flecainide / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / chemically induced
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / therapy
  • Suicide*

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Flecainide