Fatal intravenous injection of potassium in hospitalized patients.
We describe 4 cases of fatal intravenous injection of potassium in the hospital setting. These cases illustrate the subtlety of findings in such deaths and remind the forensic pathologist to consider this type of event in sudden, unexpected death of hospitalized patients.
Wetherton
Angela R
AR
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucy, USA.
Corey
Tracey S
TS
Buchino
John J
JJ
Burrows
Amy M
AM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000451:nursing; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning
D010710:Phosphates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011189:Potassium Chloride; C013216:potassium phosphate; D011188:Potassium