Deaths Involving Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in Upper East Tennessee
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2013
Description
Two deaths involving 3, 4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) are reported. MDPV is a synthetic cathinone stimulant found in "bath salts" with neurological and cardiovascular toxicity. Biological specimens were analyzed for MDPV by GC/MS and LC/MS. A White man was found dead with signs of nausea and vomiting after repeatedly abusing bath salts during a weekend binge. Femoral venous blood and urine had MDPV concentrations of 39 ng/mL and 760 ng/mL. The second fatality was a White man with a history of drug and bath salt abuse found dead at a scene in total disarray after exhibiting fits of anger and psychotic behavior. Femoral venous blood and urine had MDPV concentrations of 130 ng/mL and 3800 ng/mL. The blood and urine MDPV concentrations are within the reported recreational concentration ranges (blood 24-241 ng/mL and urine 34-3900 ng/mL). Both decedents' deaths were attributed to relevant natural causes in a setting of MDPV abuse.
Citation Information
Wright, Trista H.; Cline-Parhamovich, Karen; Lajoie, Dawn; Parsons, Laura; Dunn, Mark; and Ferslew, Kenneth E.. 2013. Deaths Involving Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in Upper East Tennessee. Journal of Forensic Sciences. Vol.58(6). 1558-1562. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12260 PMID: 23919452 ISSN: 0022-1198