RESUMEN
Head space capillary gas chromatography was used to detect alpha chloralose and its potent metabolite, trichloroethanol in clinical and forensic cases. Although alpha chloralose was identified in blood and urine in all cases, trichloroethanol was never detected. In a fatal case the alpha chloralose concentration in blood was 151.3 mg/l. It was concluded that trichloroethanol is not a metabolite of alpha chloralose.
Asunto(s)
Cloralosa/metabolismo , Etilenclorhidrina/análogos & derivados , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/metabolismo , Adulto , Cloralosa/envenenamiento , Etilenclorhidrina/química , Etilenclorhidrina/metabolismo , Humanos , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/envenenamiento , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
A patient who had swallowed a high dose of alpha-chloralose (AC) exhibited a severe CNS depression, myoclonic convulsions and a flat EEG tracing. An episode of respiratory depression occurred also during hospitalization. The cerebral electrical activity reappeared after 18 hrs., EEG and clinical pictures subsequently showing a rapid improvement. Chemical tests revealed the presence of 0.3 mg/100 ml of trichloroethanol in the blood. Treatment included the administration of diazepam against convulsions and assisted respiration. This case confirms previous clinical and experimental observations, proving that AC should be regarded as a convulsant in addition to being an anesthetic agent.