[On a case of a repidly proceeding lethal intoxication due to n-propylajmalium bitartrate (author's transl]

A case of N-Propylajmalinum bitartrate intoxication (Neo-Gilurytmal) is reported in which the death occurred within 20 minutes after the consumption of the drug. The quantitative estimation of the drug after isolation using Extrelut--columns was carried out in stomach spectrometrically, in the blood, bile, liver, kidney, and brain by gaschromatography after trifluoroacetylation. A high Prajmalium-bitartrate concentration was found in the blood (3,85 mg/l), negative results in bile and brain, low levels in liver (0,29 mg/kg wet weight) and kidney (0,06 mg/kg wet weight). Prajmalium-bitartrate was ingested together with beer, and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.061% was determined. Furthermore, a quantity corresponding to six tablets of Neo-Gilurytmal was still found in the stomach. The rapid fatal progress of the intoxication is explained as a strong effect of the drug on the heart due to the alcohol accelerated resorption of the substance.