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Analysis of ketorolac in postmortem blood
B K Logan1, P N Friel, K L Peterson
1Washington State Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98134, USA.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Analytical methods successfully isolated ketorolac from postmortem blood. This aided in investigating a death linked to an adverse reaction to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Development of precise analytical methods for drug quantification in biological samples is crucial for forensic investigations.
- Ketorolac, a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), requires reliable detection methods in postmortem toxicology.
Observation:
- A batched solid-phase extraction technique utilizing Amberlite XAD-2 resin was employed for isolating ketorolac from postmortem blood samples.
- Derivatization of ketorolac with diazopropane was a necessary step for successful analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Findings:
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and GC-MS methods were established for the accurate isolation and identification of ketorolac.
- These validated methods were applied to a case involving a fatality shortly after ketorolac tromethamine administration.
Implications:
- The study demonstrates the utility of advanced analytical techniques in determining drug-related fatalities.
- Findings support the attribution of death to anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest resulting from an adverse reaction to ketorolac.