Blood concentrations of α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) determined in 66 forensic samples

Abstract

α-Pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) is a synthetic derivative of the cathinone, which is one of the most popular new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in Poland in recent years. α-PVP was found in blood in 66 cases sent to the Institute of Forensic Research during a one-and-a-half-year period, from the beginning of 2014 to the middle of 2015 (since 1 July 2015 α-PVP has been controlled). α-PVP was found in 26 cases in 2014 and in 40 cases in 2015. The cases were related mainly to driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), traffic accidents, acts of violence, as well as intoxications and deaths. In most of the cases (42 out of 66), other substances were also detected, including NPSs and other common drug(s) of abuse. Analyses of blood for α-PVP were carried out using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The determined concentrations of α-PVP ranged from traces (<1 ng/mL) up to 6200 ng/mL (mean concentration 140 ng/mL, median 27 ng/mL). The ranges in specific type groups of cases were as follows: DUID, 6.4–99 ng/mL; traffic accidents, 10.2–30 ng/mL; drug possession, <1–98 ng/mL; non-fatal intoxication, 1.2–56 ng/mL; deaths, 1.1 ng/mL to 6200 ng/mL; and others, 2.6–136 ng/mL. Symptoms of α-PVP action were also studied. The effects of impairment were notable in a wide range of concentrations, but 40 ng/mL was proposed as the cutoff value for predicting significant influence of α-PVP on psychomotor performance. Intoxication cases indicated that recreational use of α-PVP involves significant health risks and is sometimes fatal.