Cyanide antidote kit amyl nitrite11/11/2023 ![]() There was 5/5 strength on upper and lower extremities. Pulmonary exam had coarse breath sounds on ventilator. Pupils were equally round and reactive to light and accommodation with extraocular movements intact. On initial physical exam in transfer to the intensive care unit (approximately 4 hours after presenting), the patient was awake and responsive to commands. The vital signs were the following: temperature 97.0☏, respiratory rate 17 breaths/minute, pulse 111 beats/minute, blood pressure 134/80 mmHg, and pulse oxygenation 99% on mechanical ventilation. Due to the working environment, hydroxocobalamin 5 grams was administered 4 minutes after arrival. On initial arrival at the emergency department, the patient remained unconscious. The patient was intubated on the field due to inability to protect airway and decreased mentation. A bystander discovered the patient and emergency medical services were called. This patient is a 44-year-old male with a past medical history of spontaneous pneumothorax and urethral stricture who was found unconscious in a metal chrome plating shop for an undetermined duration of time near another unconscious male (Case #1). Head computed tomography was performed with diffuse cerebral edema, most consistent with anoxic brain injury ( Figure 1). Urine drug screen was positive for cocaine metabolites, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids. A lactate level of 16.0 mmol/L was drawn on initial presentation. ![]() Hepatic function panel had total bilirubin 0.1 mg/dL, AST 151 u/L, ALT 53 u/L, alkaline phosphatase 74 u/L, creatine kinase 2095 u/L, and ammonia 23 u/L. Arterial blood gas included pH 6.67, carbon dioxide 86 mmHg, oxygen partial pressure 157 mmHg, and bicarbonate 9.7 mEq/L. White blood cell count was 12.9 mg/dL, hemoglobin 13.2 mg/dL, and platelet count 106/mm 3. Laboratory tests showed the following: sodium 145 mEq/L, potassium 5.4 mEq/L, chloride 107 mEq/L, bicarbonate 13 mEq/L, blood urea nitrogen 8 mg/dL, creatinine 1.91 mg/dL, and anion gap 32.6. He had no gag reflex with nonreactive 4 mm pupils. On initial physical exam, pertinent positives include no responsiveness with coarse breaths sounds on ventilator. The vital signs were the following: temperature 93.2☏, respiratory rate 16 breaths/minute, pulse 120 beats/minute, blood pressure 115/81 mmHg, and pulse oxygenation 95% on mechanical ventilation. Once the patient was hemodynamically stable, he was transported to our hospital for further management. Due to the work environment, the patient received a cyanide antidote kit (sodium thiosulfate 12.5 grams, sodium nitrite 300 mg) 14 minutes after arrival at the emergency department. ![]() Following return to spontaneous circulation, the patient was hypotensive requiring dopamine and norepinephrine. The resuscitation efforts occurred for 45 minutes while the patient was being transported to an outside hospital. Emergency medical services arrived and found the patient in asystole and started advanced cardiac life support protocol. The patient was found to be unconscious in a metal chrome plating shop for undetermined duration of time near another unconscious male (Case #2). Patient is a 41-year-old male with past medical history of hypertension who presented following cardiac arrest. Here, we present two case reports following the same initial cyanide exposure with two distinct antidote treatments. There are presently two leading antidote treatments, hydroxocobalamin and sodium thiosulfate, which have been mainly described in case reports and retrospective and prospective studies to demonstrate their functional effectiveness in cyanide poisoning. Typically, cyanide toxicity treatment is initiated when there is high clinical suspicion of exposure. ![]() This process prevents aerobic metabolism, which results in diffuse clinical symptoms such as dizziness, headache, weakness, and tachypnea, with progression to seizures, paralysis, and coma. Once internalized, cyanide binds to cytochrome oxidase a 3, a terminal complex in the electron transport chain. Most commonly, cyanide is inhaled from the thermal breakdown of synthetic compounds during residential or industrial fires. Exposure to cyanide ions can occur through inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion or even through metabolism. Cyanide has well known adverse effects, some of which are rapidly fatal, documented as early as 1679.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |