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Time-Dependent Postmortem Redistribution of Opioids in Blood and Alternative Matrices

Brockbals, Lana ; Staeheli, Sandra N. ; Gascho, Dominic ; Ebert, Lars C. ; Kraemer, Thomas ; Steuer, Andrea E.

In: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2018, vol. 42, no. 6, p. 365-374

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    Titre
    • Time-Dependent Postmortem Redistribution of Opioids in Blood and Alternative Matrices
    Auteur
    • Brockbals, Lana. Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Staeheli, Sandra N.. Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Gascho, Dominic. Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Ebert, Lars C.. Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Kraemer, Thomas. Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Steuer, Andrea E.. Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2018, vol. 42, no. 6, p. 365-374. Oxford University Press
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:331679
    Summary
    Forensic postmortem case interpretation can be challenging, in particular due to postmortem redistribution (PMR) phenomena. Recent studies have shown that computed tomography (CT)-guided collection of biopsy samples using a robotic arm (virtobot) provides a valuable tool for systematic studies on time-dependent PMR. Utilizing this strategy, several cases involving opioid use such as methadone, fentanyl, tramadol, codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone were evaluated for time-dependent concentration changes and potential redistribution mechanisms. Upon admission to the institute (t1), blood (femoral and right ventricle heart blood) and tissue biopsy samples (lung, kidney, liver, spleen, thigh muscle and adipose tissue) were collected utilizing CT-guided biopsy. Approximately 24 h later (t2; mean 28 ± 15 h), during the autopsy, samples from the same body regions were collected manually and in addition brain tissue, gastric content, urine and left ventricle heart blood. Analysis was conducted with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Significant time-dependent methadone concentration increases in femoral blood (pB) indicate the occurrence of PMR, however, ultimately not relevant for forensic interpretation. The main metabolite of methadone, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), showed a less significant trend for PMR. Redistribution by passive diffusion along the muscle-to-pB concentration gradient seems likely for methadone, but not for EDDP. Results for fentanyl suggest extensive PMR. Other opioids such as tramadol, codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone showed no consistent trend for significant PMR. Overall, CT-guided biopsy sampling proved to be a valuable tool for the investigation of PMR mechanisms.