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Postmortem acetaminophen pharmacokinetics: an experimental study of site and time-dependent concentration changes
H F Gomez1, P McKinney, S Phillips
1Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver General Hospital, University of Colorado Health Science Center, USA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Postmortem blood acetaminophen concentrations significantly increase over time, especially in central sites, and do not reflect antemortem levels. Sampling time and collection site impact postmortem drug concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pharmacokinetics
Background:
- Postmortem blood drug concentrations are crucial for mortality assessment.
- The correlation between postmortem and antemortem drug levels is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between antemortem and postmortem blood acetaminophen concentrations.
- To determine the influence of sampling time and site on postmortem drug levels.
Main Methods:
- 10 rabbits received acetaminophen (160 mg/kg) orally.
- Blood samples were collected from central (heart, inferior vena cava) and peripheral (femoral vein) sites at various postmortem intervals (3, 6, 12 hours).
- Acetaminophen concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography.
Main Results:
- Antemortem acetaminophen concentration was 63.1 ± 14.6 mcg/mL.
- Postmortem central concentrations increased significantly over time (e.g., 480.8 ± 128.8 mcg/mL at 12 hours).
- Peripheral concentrations showed minimal changes, and central concentrations were substantially higher than peripheral ones.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem blood acetaminophen concentrations do not accurately represent antemortem levels.
- Sampling time and anatomical collection site are critical variables affecting postmortem drug concentrations.
- Findings support previous case series suggesting postmortem drug levels diverge from premortem values.