A DEATH ATTRIBUTED SOLELY TO DILTIAZEM

An elderly woman, distraught over the recent death of her husband, was found dead of an apparent suicide. Qualitative screening detected only the presence of diltiazem, an antihypertensive, antianginal agent that was prescribed for a known heart ailment. Quantitation of diltiazem was carried out on available fluids and tissues with the following results: Blood 6.7 mg/L, urine 5.4 mg/L, vitreous 5.5 mg/L, and liver 79 mg/kg. Death was subsequently attributed to an overdose of this medication. © 1992, Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.