Guy recovering from bypass surgery. What med could be used to create an over dose that would kill him?

Question

I'm writing a novel. Based on 1960s patient medication procedures rather than todays computerized systems. The parient is given a regular dose by a nurse then given an overdose of the same meds by a bad guy that kills the patient. The hospital is then sued for negligence.
What heart drug would be used in normal routine patient medication to help in recovery and at the same time if overdosed would kill him?The overdose has to be realistic and not something that would never be used or carried in a hospital pharacy.
Thanks Roger

Answer 1

Your question implies that the setting of the story takes place in the 1960's. If that is the case you have a historic problem with a patient recovering from a cardiac bypass surgery.

"From 1960 to 1967, several sporadic instances of coronary grafting were reported. All were isolated cases and, for uncertain reasons, were not reproduced."
http://cardiacsurgery.ctsnetbooks.org/cgi/content/full/2/2003/3ck=nck#THE_DEVELOPMENT_OF_CARDIOPULMONARY_BYPASS

So cardiac bypasses did not become a relatively routine procedure until the mid to late 1970's. One relatively common complication associated with post bypass surgery is a ventricular arrhythmia. Any medication that is pro-arrhythmic could help precipitate the problem - for which a post bypass patient is at risk for any way.

Again in 1960's perspective.
*Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline
*Too little potassium usually from too much diuretic such as Lasix without potassium replacement.
*Antibiotics such as Erythromycin
*Antipsychotics such as Thioridazine.

Any combination of the above would theoretically have expotential effects when added together. All of the medications I named were around and were used in the 1960's.

In those days, I am relatively sure that they did not have external pacemakers, either.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

If you really want a factual story than forget the drugs, give a twist to your story, that is during the operation, suddenly the heart rate, BP falls down, and the doctors realize that the patient has developed "sick sinus". They immediately implant an PPM ( permanent pace maker).

The patient is transferred to the wards, after two days while the patient is watching TV, suddenly something goes wrong with the TV, the patient gets up and taps the TV, it suddenly goes on, and due to increased radiation the PPM malfunctions, and the patient expires.

CAUSE OF DEATH.
Acute cardiac respiratory failure, secondary due to malfunctioning of PPM.

Hospital staff is sued for gross negligence on their part for not
instructing the patient not to go near ionized radiation, and providing a reliable TV apparatus along with infra-red control.

I think you can make up the whole story.

Regarding medication it is easily caught, as there no such thing as a perfect crime.

Answer 3

no human being knows for useful how lengthy it truly is going to take. This human being might want to be an excellent willed & healthful to have survived the type of surgical procedure at his/her age. My previous due major different's father, had a triple bypass at the same time as he grow to be 86 y/o & he recovered with out delay in any respect & felt so a lot extra helpful after this surgical procedure. He grow to be a very not uncomplicated headed guy & very determined, which i quite trust contributed to his speedy & finished fix.

Answer 4

potassium or KCL. Given routinely to patients IV, if given no more than 10-20meq/hr, it's OK. If given fast or in large doses, it'll kill someone. It's given during euthanasia I believe, after sleeping meds given.

Answer 5

Digoxin. Slows the heartrate down. Normally used to ease the workload of the heart.

Answer 6

My first question would be is who are you trying to kill because you don't need to ask questions on here when you can do research on the web and i wouldn't answer this question because i believe that you are not on the up and up.

Answer 7

why not go with warfarin and make him bleed to death, or any pain meds in high doses.