Fatal α-PVP and amphetamine poisoning during a sauna and autoerotic practices

Abstract

We describe the sudden death of a middle-aged man while having a sauna under the influence of α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) (PM blood concentration: 0.8 mg/L), amphetamine (0.34 mg/L), and other drugs (buprenorphine, benzodiazepines), and engaging in solitary sexual activities. The drugs' effects on the cardio-circulatory system and on body thermoregulation combined with the high temperatures are likely to have been central mechanisms leading to death. The high levels of adrenaline triggered by sexual arousal and the respiratory depression caused by buprenorphine, in association with benzodiazepines, may have also contributed to his death. This previously unreported type of accidental autoerotic death illustrates the risk of using amphetamine-like sympathomimetic drugs (e.g. cathinone derivates) in hot environments such as a sauna, and during sexual activities therein.

Deaths during Sexual Activity

“…Typical cases involve asphyxia and constitute the highest number of deaths [3]. Asphyxia can result from covering the face with objects such as plastic bags, rubber masks, or adhesive tape, hanging, suffocation, chemical substance inhalation (chloroform, cocaine, alkyl nitrites, MDMA, alcohol, toluene, α-PVP, buprenorphine, mephedrone), or respiratory tract obstruction by fluids [2][3][4][5][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Atypical autoerotic deaths encompass other scenarios, including electrocution, hyperthermia from wearing extra clothing, and traumatic deaths due to foreign bodies inserted in body orifices, which comprise a smaller portion of autoerotic deaths [3,5,7,12,13,15].…”

Flakka: New Dangerous Synthetic Cathinone on the Drug Scene

“…sudden death of a middle-aged man while having a sauna. [76] 3.9. Legal Status of α-PVP Currently, α-PVP is a strictly controlled substance, and its use has been banned in the United States and other countries/regions around the world.…”