Postmortem stability and interpretation of beta(2)-agonist concentrations

This paper describes a series of stability and redistribution studies aimed at understanding the presence and significance of beta(2)-agonists in asth ma deaths. Salbutamol and terbutaline were shown to be stable in postmortem blood at 23 degrees C for 1 week, 4 degrees C for 6 months and -20 degrees C for 1 to 2 years. However, fenoterol was shown to degrade at 23 degrees C (83% loss), 4 degrees C (93% loss) and -20 degrees C (66% loss) over the same time. Salbutamol concentrations detected in blood taken at the time of body admission to the mortuary were not significantly different from the c oncentrations detected in blood taken from the same cases at the time of au topsy (45 h later). This suggests that significant postmortem redistributio n of salbutamol is unlikely to occur during this period. Postmortem blood c oncentrations of at least salbutamol are likely to reflect the concentratio n of these drugs in the body at the time of death.