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Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology

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01-09-2015 | Case Report

A case of suicide by self-injection of adrenaline

Authors: Cristian Palmiere, Fabien Bévalot, Daniel Malicier, Eric Grouzmann, Tony Fracasso, Laurent Fanton

Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

Adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injectors provide life-saving pre-hospital treatment for individuals experiencing anaphylaxis in a community setting. Errors in handling adrenaline auto-injectors, particularly by children and healthcare professionals, have been reported. Reports of adrenaline overdoses are limited in the medical literature. In most of these cases, accidental adrenaline administration results from medical error. Exogenous administration of catecholamine is responsible for cardiovascular and metabolic responses, which may cause supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular dysrhythmias and myocardial ischemia. The authors present a unique autopsy case involving a 34 year-old woman who intentionally self-injected adrenaline using an adrenaline auto-injector as part of a suicide plan. Catecholamines and metanephrines were measured in peripheral and cardiac blood as well as urine and vitreous humor. Based on the results of all postmortem investigations, the cause of death was determined to be cardiac dysrhythmia and cardiac arrest following adrenaline self-injection.

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Title: A case of suicide by self-injection of adrenaline
Authors: Cristian Palmiere
Fabien Bévalot
Daniel Malicier
Eric Grouzmann
Tony Fracasso
Laurent Fanton
Publication date: 01-09-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Electronic ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-015-9700-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A case of suicide by self-injection of adrenaline

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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