Simultaneous Quantitation of Atenolol, Metoprolol, and Propranolol in Biological Matrices Via LC/MS

Hypertension is a growing medical concern in the United States. With the number of Americans suffering from hypertension increasing, the use of antihypertensives such as beta-blockers is increasing as well. In fact, three beta-blockers - atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol - were among the 200 most prescribed medications in the United States in 2003. Pilots that successfully manage their hypertension can remain certified to fly. The Federal Aviation Administration currently designates approximately 8% of active pilots as "hypertensive with medication." The Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) performs toxicological evaluation on victims of fatal aviation accidents. At CAMI beta-blockers are analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The authors have, however, recently developed a liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS) method for the simultaneous quantitation of three commonly prescribed beta-blockers - atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol. One advantage of their LC/MS method is the specificity provided by an ion trap MS. Using an ion trap MS, they were able to conduct MS/MS and MS/MS/MS on each analyte. This method also eliminates the time-consuming and costly derivitization step necessary during GC/MS analysis. Additionally, by utilizing this novel method, any concerns about beta-blocker metabolite and/or sample matrix interference are eliminated. The limits of detection for this method ranged from 0.39 - 0.78 ng/mL, and the linear dynamic range was generally 1.6 - 3200 ng/mL. The extraction efficiencies for each analyte ranged from 58 - 82%. This method was successfully applied to postmortem fluid and tissue specimens obtained from victims of three separate aviation accidents.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2000s/media/0510.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/58235
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, P.O. Box 25082
  Oklahoma City, OK  United States  73125

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Office of Aerospace Medicine, 800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Authors:
  • Johnson, R D
  • Lewis, R J
• Publication Date: 2005-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 21p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation crashes; Airline pilots; Aviation safety; Drugs; Forensic medicine; Hypertension; Liquid chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Medication; Toxicology
• Identifier Terms: Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Uncontrolled Terms: Atenolol; Beta-blockers; Metoprolol; Propranolol
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01001422
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FAA/AM-05/10
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 30 2005 10:56AM