Suicide with Vecuronium and Etomidate: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A case of suicidal death due to intravenous self-administration of vecuronium and etomidate by a registered nurse is being reported. Toxicologic blood analysis showed a vecuronium concentration of 0.023 mg/L, an etomidate concentration of 0.041 μg/mL, and an ethanol concentration of 113 mg/dL. The autopsy, toxicologic analysis, and crime scene investigation findings indicated that this was suicidal death caused by respiratory failure secondary to vecuronium administration exacerbated by sedation secondary to etomidate and ethanol use. Review of the medical literature and popular press media has identified several instances in which vecuronium has been used in homicidal deaths, but it has identified few cases in which vecuronium or etomidate, alone or in conjunction with another drug, have been used to commit suicide.

Self-Administration of Vecuronium by a Medical Student: An Autopsy Case Report

“…Vecuronium is an easily available drug to the healthcare workers which leads to its misuse [3][4] . Very few cases have been reported in literature regarding suicides by vecuronium and most of them are of healthcare workers [4][5] .…”