Postmortem Concentration and Redistribution of Diazepam, Methadone, and Morphine with Subclavian and Femoral Vein Dissection/ Clamping

• Eric Lemaire ^[1] ; Carl Schmidt ^[2] ; Raphael Denooz ^[3] ; Corinne Charlier ^[3] ; Philippe Boxho ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Liège

     University of Liège

     Arrondissement de Liège, Bélgica

     
  2. [2] University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

     University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

     City of Ann Arbor, Estados Unidos

     
  3. [3] University Hospital ‐ C.H.U. Sart Tilman Liège Belgium

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• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 61, Nº. 6, 2016, págs. 1596-1603
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Postmortem redistribution (PMR) concerns blood drug concentration variations after death, depending on many factors such as sampling site and technique. In our study, we focused on sampling method. 30 cases were sampled, each at cardiac, subclavian, femoral, and popliteal sites. Targeted substances were diazepam, methadone, and morphine. Blind stick and dissection/clamping techniques were concomitantly performed at subclavian and femoral sites. Subclavian and femoral concentrations were compared according to technique used. To assess the influence of sampling technique on PMR, central/peripheral ratios were calculated depending on sampling method. Results show that drug concentrations tend to be lower when drawn from a clamped subclavian or femoral vein whereas ratios including subclavian and/or femoral blood concentration are influenced according to the technique used. In conclusion, clamping a subclavian or femoral vessel before sampling tends to result in lower drug concentrations and may influence ratios, suggesting the importance of isolating vessels from thoraco-abdominal viscera.