The Effect of Chronic Renal Failure on the Benzoylecgonine Blood Level: A Case Report. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guillaud, Daniel A.; Jones, Prentiss; Prahlow, Joseph A.
• Is Part Of: American journal of forensic medicine & pathology. Volume 36:Number 2(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: forensic -- autopsy -- toxicology -- cocaine -- benzoylecgonine -- renal failure; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic pathology -- Periodicals; 614.105
• DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-7910

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Chronic renal failure results in reduced elimination of a variety of substances within the blood, including numerous drugs and their metabolites. This report describes a case of a man who died in jail, after less than 48 hours of being incarcerated, wherein postmortem toxicology testing revealed a blood benzoylecgonine level of 0.25 mg/L with no cocaine detected, suggesting possible recent cocaine use in jail. Autopsy and investigation revealed severe underlying cardiovascular disease and dialysis-dependent CRF, thus accounting for the elevated benzoylecgonine levels and allaying concerns that the man obtained and used cocaine in jail.