[Toxicological analysis of selected 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in the diagnosis of intoxications]. / Analiza toksykologiczna wybranych pochodnych 1,4-dihydropirydyny w diagnostyce zatruc.

This study is aimed at evaluating effective techniques of qualitative and quantitative analysis of selected 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, useful both for thanatological diagnosis of intoxications as well as monitoring therapy. The studies took advantage of gas chromatography (GLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Isolation of studied compounds from biological material was performed using classical and solid phase extraction procedures (SPE) such as Bond Elut LRC (Varian), Abselut Nexus (Varian), STRATA C - 18 E (Phenomenex). The program included analysis of nine of the most frequently prescribed derivatives: nifedipine, felodipine, amlodipine, nicardipine, nimodypine, nilvadipine, nitrendipine, nisoldipine, isradipine.

Detection of the calcium antagonist nicardipine and its metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

An 89-year-old male patient, hospitalized with Parkinson's syndrome, suddenly died shortly after an intravenous drug injection. The conditions indicated that an overdose of nicardipine (1.3 mg/(mlkg)) may be given to the patient. At the autopsy, no pathological changes were noted. With a capillary gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer (GC-MS), nicardipine (4.97 microg/ml) and its pyridine metabolite (M-5, 5.0 microg/ml) were detected in the heart blood of the deceased. This result indicated that an overdose of intravenous nicardipine caused a sudden death of a patient in a poor condition.

[Acute nicardipine poisoning]. / Intoxication aiguë par la nicardipine.

A 41 year old man with overdose of nicardipine is reported. Quickly after the poisoning, he developed a cardiovascular collapse picture with renal failure and myocardium ischemia. The clinical picture improved with injection of dobutamine and dopamine. The hemodynamic study showed a fall of the systemic resistances. The recovery was complete 40 hours after the ingestion.

[Acute nicardipine and nifedipine poisoning. Multicenter study. Cooperative study by the french poison control centers and the ARIT]. / Intoxications aiguës par Nicardipine et Nifédipine. Etude multicentrique. Travail coopératif des Centres Anti-Poisons francais et de l'ARIT.

A study, that was realized by the French Association of Poison Control Centers, tried to estimate the toxicity of Dihydropyridine derivatives towards human beings, in comparison with other calcium antagonists, said to be more toxic. Though, the toxicity of the Dihydropyridine derivatives happens to be far less important considering the rarity or absence of their cardiac effects, it must not however be underestimated in the case of a mass ingestion, or if they are taken simultaneously with psychotropic or cardiotropic drugs.