A Comparison of Drug Concentrations in Postmortem Cardiac and Peripheral Blood in 320 Cases

Abstract

For many years it has become increasingly apparent from literature reports that the postmortem cardiac blood concentrations of certain drugs can be significantly different than those found in peripheral blood.The cardiac to peripheral ratio (C/P) of drug concentrations in postmortem blood samples was determined for 113 drugs representing toxicological findings in 320 cases. Theories postulated in current scientific literature to explain observed site dependence of drug concentration in postmortem blood are discussed in light of the findings.It is suggested that drug quantifications be done on both cardiac and peripheral blood and that the final interpretation of results be done as a team effort by all individuals involved in the death investigation.