Finding into death of Robert William Keith
Deceased
Robert William Keith
Demographics
34y, male
Date of death
2010-06-28
Finding date
2011-06-28
Cause of death
Unascertained; likely fatal cardiac arrhythmia secondary to electrolyte disturbance and QT interval prolongation
AI-generated summary
Robert William Keith, aged 34, was found deceased in his caravan on 28 June 2010. He had a long-standing history of paranoid schizophrenia managed with risperidone injections and oral medications under a Community Treatment Order. Post-mortem examination revealed elevated urea and creatinine consistent with dehydration and/or renal impairment. He had a documented prolonged QT interval on previous ECGs and multiple prior hospital admissions for vomiting-induced electrolyte disturbances (hypokalaemia, hypochloraemia, metabolic alkalosis). The coroner concluded his death was likely due to an acute electrolyte disturbance causing QT prolongation and fatal cardiac arrhythmia. Clinicians should recognise that antipsychotic medications and recurrent electrolyte abnormalities increase arrhythmia risk, necessitating regular ECG monitoring, electrolyte surveillance, and aggressive management of vomiting episodes in vulnerable patients.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- chronic electrolyte disturbances (recurrent hypokalaemia, hypochloraemia, metabolic alkalosis)
- documented prolonged QT interval on ECG
- renal impairment and dehydration
- antipsychotic medication use (risperidone) which can prolong QT interval
- recurrent vomiting episodes
- possible genetic predisposition to long QT syndrome
Coroner's recommendations
- Family follow-up regarding possible genetic long QT syndrome given previous documentation of prolonged QT interval on ECG
Full text
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