title: Deaths from exposure to paramethoxymethamphetamine in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) is a ring-substituted amphetamine similar in structure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy"), but substantially more toxic. We describe the clinical features of fatal exposures in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective case series on deaths in Alberta and BC between June 2011 and April 2012 for which forensic toxicologic analysis was positive for PMMA and the drug was implicated as the primary toxic agent. Data collected included patient demographics, exposure history, clinical features, investigations, therapy provided and postmortem toxicologic findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 27 PMMA-associated deaths (20 in Alberta, 7 in BC) were reported in the 11-month period. The median age was 24 (range 14-52) years, and 22 (81%) were male. Ten patients were pronounced dead at the scene, and 17 died in hospital. The median time from exposure to death was 17 (range 5-264) hours. The median first-recorded vital signs (and ranges) were: heart rate 160 (86-201) beats/min, blood pressure 89/43 (69/30-162/83) mm Hg, respiratory rate 40 (26-48) breaths/min, oxygen saturation 81% (68%-100%) and temperature 39.4°C (34-43.8°C). Sixteen of the 17 people who died in hospital presented with clinical features consistent with serotonin syndrome. End-organ dysfunction included hepatic (30%) and acute kidney injury (85%), rhabdomyolysis (54%), coagulopathy (61%) and cardiac ischemia (15%). Other drugs identified on toxicologic analysis were MDMA (n = 27), cocaine or its metabolite benzoylecgonine (n = 14) and methamphetamine (n = 12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to PMMA was characterized by multiorgan dysfunction and serotonin syndrome, followed by cardiovascular collapse. In addition to PMMA, multiple synthetic amphetamines were present on toxicologic analysis. When evaluating patients suspected of exposure to sympathomimetic drugs of abuse, clinicians must anticipate multiple clinical effects from the increased release of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.
authors.forename: Jennifer J E
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. ; Poison and Drug Information Service, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta.
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Yarema
authors.affiliation: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Edmonton, Alta.
authors.forename: Graham R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Provincial Toxicology Centre, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martz
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre, Vancouver, BC ; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Roy A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Purssell
authors.affiliation: Population, Public and Aboriginal Health, Alberta Health Services - Calgary Zone, Calgary, Alta. ; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.
authors.forename: Judy C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wishart
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC ; Canadian Field Epidemiology Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durigon
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tzemis
authors.affiliation: School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC ; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Buxton
keywords: 2013; Atlanta; GA; Presented at the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology; Sept. 1
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