"Ecstasy" associated deaths: what is a fatal concentration ? Analysis of a case series.
Forensic science, medicine, and pathology September 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-010-9220-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 77 |
| Population | Deaths where MDMA was detected in body fluids or organs |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | MDMA blood concentrations overlap considerably between deaths from direct MDMA toxicity and those from trauma, so no specific concentration can determine the cause of death without considering the history and full autopsy findings. |
Abstract
Amphetamine derivative drugs, particularly 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, are popular recreational drugs. MDMA is associated with causing death by a number of mechanisms, including hyperpyrexia, cardiac arrhythmia water intoxication and liver failure. Seventy-seven deaths where MDMA was detected in body fluids/organs were reviewed. Of these cases 59 deaths had MDMA present in blood. In 13 cases death was attributable to the toxic effects of MDMA alone with a range of 0.478-53.9 mg/l, mean 8.43 mg/l, median 3.49 mg/l. In 22 cases death was due to polydrug use, with an MDMA range of 0.04-41.5 mg/l, mean 2.90 mg/l, median 0.76 mg/l. In 24 cases death was due to trauma with an MDMA range of 0.035-4.81 mg/l, mean 0.862 mg/l, median 0. 483 mg/l. There is considerable overlap between the concentration of MDMA seen in deaths from direct MDMA toxicity and deaths associated with trauma. These findings show, that like other stimulant drugs, no specific concentration can be used to determine death without consideration of the history and full autopsy findings.