@article{ref1,
title="Characteristics and circumstances of synthetic cannabinoid-related death",
journal="Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)",
year="2019",
author="Darke, Shane and Duflou, Johan and Farrell, Michael and Peacock, Amy and Lappin, Julia",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="1-7",
abstract="<b>Introduction:</b> Synthetic cannabinoids are an emerging clinical and public health concern. The current study aimed to determine: (1) The characteristics and circumstances of death of all recorded cases of synthetic cannabinoid-related sudden or unnatural death in Australia, (2) The toxicology of cases and (3) Their major organ pathology. <b>Methods:</b> Retrospective study of all cases in Australia in which synthetic cannabinoid use was a mechanism contributory to death (<i>n</i>  =  55) retrieved from the National Coronial Information System (2000-2017). Information was collected on cause of death, demographics, drug use history, circumstances of death, toxicology and major organ pathology. <b>Results:</b> The mean age was 37.2 years and 91.1% were male. Causes of death comprised of accidental toxicity (38.2%), accidental toxicity/cardiovascular disease (9.1%), natural disease (20.0%), suicide (10.9%) and traumatic accident (10.9%). The most common clinical presentation proximal to death was sudden collapse (25.5%). Cardiovascular disease was prominent: severe atherosclerosis (20.0%), myocardial replacement fibrosis (18.0%), cardiomegaly (12.0%). The most frequent synthetic cannabinoids were the indazolecarboxemides (61.8%), most commonly AB-CHMINACA (38.2%). The most frequent other substances were alcohol (34.5%) and Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC (23.6%). <b>Conclusions:</b> AB-CHMINACA was the most commonly seen synthetic cannabinoid. There was a high representation of relatively older decedents and of older males in particular. While acute toxicity was the most common cause of death, cardiovascular disease was prominent.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1556-3650",
doi="10.1080/15563650.2019.1647344",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2019.1647344"
}