title: An apparent fatal valproic acid poisoning.
abstract: While extensive data on therapeutic concentrations of valproic acid in plasma exist, data on toxic or fatal levels are very limited and superficial, interpretation of isolated blood levels obtained post-mortem is therefore a difficult task. A case of sudden death is described here. The circumstances are known and strongly indicate a fatal, suicidal poisoning by valproic acid at a dose of 56.4 g. Valproic acid was quantified in tissues by gas chromatography, and its identity confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The tissue concentrations found post-mortem were as follows: blood 720 mg/L; liver 800 mg/kg; stomach contents 1700 mg. Phenobarbitone and propoxyphene were also present at therapeutic concentrations. This data should provide a useful reference for interpretive purposes.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene / Q000032:analysis; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000032:analysis; D013405:Suicide; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene; D010634:Phenobarbital