Delayed fatal outcome after possible Ru-Tuss overdose.

Death resulted from the delayed onset of the acute respiratory distress syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation with left ventricular mural thrombus formation and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis approximately five days after an alleged attempted suicide by the ingestion of ten to twelve prolonged-action Ru-Tuss tablets. Although these lesions are thought to be similar in pathogenesis, this combination has not been previously reported in association with a drug overdose. The delay in onset is also of interest because of its clinical implications.