Toxicology results.
| Drug | n | Mean concentration±SD | Normal values* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol—blood ethanol | 32 | 0.09±0.09 g/100 ml | <0.05 g/100 ml |
| Opiates/morphine/pethidine | 8 | 6±7 mg/l | 0.01–0.1 mg/l, 0.1–0.8 mg/l |
| Methadone | 7 | 0.8±0.3 mg/l | 0.1–0.5 mg/l |
| Amphetamine† | 7 | 0.15±0.15 mg/l | 0.02–0.1 mg/l |
| Tetrahydrocannabinol ‡ | 15 | 3±4.9 mg/l | 0.005–0.01 mg/l |
| Ketamine | 3 | 0.1, 0.7, 2.0 mg/l | 1–6 mg/l |
| Caffeine | 1 | 10 mg/l | 4–10 mg/l |
Critical Care 2012;16:R136 doi:10.1186/cc11441.
Toxicology examination was performed in 159 cases; 84 of these reports were accessible.
Toxicology reports were not available for the 26 West Australian cases or 49 cases in other states.
*Therapeutic (‘normal’), toxic and comatose-fatal blood-plasma concentrations (mg/l) in man.
†Amphetamine and/or methamphetamine.
‡Tetrahydrocannabinol.