Hyperkalemia in fatal MDMA ('ecstasy') toxicity.
Paula Raviña, Jose Maria Quiroga, Tomas Raviña
International journal of cardiology February 2004 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5273(03)00162-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A patient who ingested MDMA and died |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | In a patient who died after MDMA ingestion, hyperkalemia in the absence of renal failure aggravated the expected toxic complications and was the immediate cause of death. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is an amphetamine synthetic analog widely used as an recreational drug. Acute and severe toxic effects following MDMA ingestion include hyperthermia, arrhythmias, rhabdomyolisis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hepatotoxicity and even death. Recently, we treated a patient in whom hyperkalemia, in the absence of renal failure, aggravated the expected toxic complications of MDMA, becoming the immediate cause of his death.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA Individuals whose deaths were associated with MDMA or MDEA use | 1987 | Case series | n = 5 |
| Pathology of deaths associated with "ecstasy" and "eve" misuse. Young white men aged 20 to 25 who died after using ring-substituted amphetamines (MDMA... | 1996 | Case series | n = 7 |
| 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' Individuals who died after using MDMA or MDEA | 1987 | Case series | n = 5 |
| A Method of Conducting Therapeutic Sessions with MDMA Clients with clear therapeutic purpose, excluding those with serious functional... | 1998 | Case study | n = 2 |
| Diversity of Psychopathology Associated with use of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’) Psychiatric patients presenting between 1990 and 1992 whose symptoms developed in the... | 1994 | Case series | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- A review of acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in healthy volunteers Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Perioperative Considerations for Patients Exposed to Psychostimulants. Anesthesia & Analgesia September 1, 2023
- Rhabdomyolysis in MDMA intoxication: a rapid and underestimated killer. "Clean" Ecstasy, a safe party drug? Journal of Emergency Medicine June 2012
- Dantrolene in the treatment of MDMA-related hyperpyrexia: a systematic review. CJEM September 2010
- The harmful health effects of recreational ecstasy: a systematic review of observational evidence. Health technology assessment January 2009
and 1 more in the library
Cites 5
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
- (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates JAMA July 1, 1988
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' JAMA March 27, 1987
- Multiple Severe Complications From Recreational Ingestion of MDMA ('Ecstasy') JAMA August 14, 1987
- Toxicity and deaths from 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"). The Lancet August 15, 1992