(L.A.) Antonia Macias, 39, Died in a Hospital

Case Number: 2019-04268

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 39-year-old Latin American female that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office identified the woman as Antonia Macias.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Anaphylactic Reaction to Ketamine and/or Rocuronium

RIP ANTONIA MACIAS (April 21, 1980 – June 5, 2019)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Wednesday at 1:46 a.m.

Both ketamine and rocuronium are medications commonly used in anesthesia, and either can trigger a severe allergic reaction.

Rocuronium (a neuromuscular blocking agent) is one of the more common causes of perioperative anaphylaxis. Drugs in this class are well known for triggering allergic (IgE-mediated) reactions in some patients.

Ketamine (an anesthetic) is much less commonly associated with true anaphylaxis, but hypersensitivity reactions have been reported.