Convulsions and possible spasm of the lower oesophageal sphincter in a fatal case of propranolol intoxication.

A fatal case of propranolol intoxication is described. The patient had ingested 3-5 g of the drug and probably no other drugs. Gastric lavage could not be performed due to some kind of obstruction in the distal part of the oesophagus. At autopsy, the oesophagus was normal, and a spasm due to B-blockade is suggested. Epileptiform seizures resistant to treatment with diazepam and barbiturates were frequent and probably not solely caused by cerebral ischaemia.