title: "Ecstasy" and sudden cardiac death.
abstract: A case of an apparently natural death in association with the use of an MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is reported. The pathophysiology of the death and the pharmacology of the drug are presented. An overview of the certification of such cases is briefly presented.
authors.affiliation: Office of the State Medical Examiner, State of New Jersey, Newark 07103.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riemersma
mesh_terms: D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001344:Autopsy; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine