Author/Editor		Štefanič, Borut
Title		Primeri opiatne smrti v kazuistiki Inštituta za sodno medicino 1991-1995
Translated title		Cases of death caused by opiates in the casebook of the Institute of forensic medicine 1991-1995
Type		članek
Source		Med Razgl
Vol. and No.		Letnik 35, št. Suppl 5
Publication year		1996
Volume		str. 105-10
Language		slo
Abstract		In spite of a relativey low incidence of death from opiate overdose in Slovenia, we can confirm the opinion of other researchers that proof of death resulting from acute or chronic consumption of drugs depends on many factors: an adequate medical history, findings at the site of the event, i.e. death, findings at autopsy, the absence of other significant causes of death and, above all, the results of appropriate toxicological tests. This study is based on archive materials of the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Ljubljana from 1991 to 1995. It comprises 18 cases of death resulting from opiate consumption, two from methadone use and four most probably linked to opiates; it does not include cases of death due to benzodiazepines and other drugs, mainly in combination with alcohol. All cases of death due to acute intoxication, with the exception of one evident suicide, were assessed as accidents. The predominant age was from 20 to 29 years; only one victim was female. The three mostfrequentfindings were: positive ident'rfication of the drug in the body, acute lung edema, the presence of alcohol in the blood at levels over 1 g/kg and deposition of fats in the liver.
Descriptors		NARCOTICS CAUSE OF DEATH FORENSIC MEDICINE NARCOTIC DEPENDENCE