A 54-year-old man treated with dabigatran experienced new onset of a stroke with a score of 9 on ... more A 54-year-old man treated with dabigatran experienced new onset of a stroke with a score of 9 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) was not recommended because of the dabigatran therapy. Angiography showed occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery by an embolic thrombus. Suction thrombectomy achieved flow through the inferior division of the artery. Computed tomography of the head showed possible intracranial hemorrhage, and dabigatran reversal was attempted with prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant factor VIIa. Coagulation studies before administration of the reversal blood products showed a partial thromboplastin time of 30.3 seconds; 1 hour after administration, the partial thromboplastin time was 28.5 seconds. No evidence of intracranial hemorrhage was apparent on repeated computed tomography scans of the brain. He was discharged with aspirin and warfarin and a stroke score of 8. (Americ...
Abstract Introduction: The jequirity bean (Abrus precatorius) seed contains abrin, a toxalbumin, ... more Abstract Introduction: The jequirity bean (Abrus precatorius) seed contains abrin, a toxalbumin, that irreversibly binds the 60-s ribosomal subunit inhibiting protein synthesis. Neurologic manifestations of ingestions are rare. Case details: We present a case of a 20-year-old man with 24 h of vomiting, diarrhea and 2 h of hematemesis and hematochezia. He admitted to purchasing 1000 jequirity beans online, crushing and ingesting them 26 h prior to presentation in a suicide attempt. Over the next 2 days, he developed hallucinations, incomprehensible mumbling and grunting, disconjugate gaze with abnormal roving eye movements and a left gaze preference with his right eye deviated medially. There was a fine tremor of the upper extremities and he had brief episodes of choreoathetoid movements of his legs. A head CT was normal with no cerebral edema. He progressed to minimally responsive to noxious stimuli, and was unable to converse or follow commands and displayed increased choreoathetoid movements of his extremities. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed only mild background slowing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed showing bilaterally symmetric signal abnormalities in the basal ganglia, brainstem, corpus callosum and corona radiata with diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement. The patient developed a tonic–clonic seizure followed by pulseless electrical activity, from which he was resuscitated. He was provided comfort care and died just under 5 days after his ingestion. Results: Urine analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was positive for 8.84 ng/ml of l-abrine (4.96 ng l-abrine/mg creatinine) 61 h after admission to the hospital (approximately 87 h post-ingestion). Serum concentrations for l-abrine and ricinine were both below the limits of detection. Discussion: Ingestion of 1000 crushed jequirity beans purchased on the internet resulted in progressive encephalopathy and death.
Botulinum toxin is regarded as the most lethal substance known. It is estimated that the human LD... more Botulinum toxin is regarded as the most lethal substance known. It is estimated that the human LD50 for inhalation botulism is 1 to 3 nanograms of toxin/kilogram body mass. Although only three cases of inhalational botulism have been described, an understanding of the pathophysiology of food-borne outbreaks, wound botulism, and infant botulism, and their therapies, enables the medical community to plan treatment in the event of an aerosol release of botulinum toxin. Antitoxin, vaccine, and F(ab')2 immune fragment therapies are discussed as adjuncts to supportive therapy.
Fifteen patients with toxic shock syndrome were seen in a 2-yr period at a university medical cen... more Fifteen patients with toxic shock syndrome were seen in a 2-yr period at a university medical center. Five (33%) patients had severe cardiorespiratory failure and underwent hemodynamic monitoring before and during infusion of dobutamine hydrochloride (dobutamine). Three distinct hemodynamic stages were identified. Initially there was a hyperdynamic cardiovascular state with a high cardiac index (5.5 +/- 0.9 L/min X m2, mean +/- SEM), normal pulmonary artery wedge pressure (11.5 +/- 1.5 mm Hg), and low mean blood pressure (66 +/- 5 mm Hg). The second stage (decompensated) revealed myocardial dysfunction with decreased left ventricular fractional shortening. Serial two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms performed on two patients showed left atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic diameters at the upper limits of normal. The mean blood pressure recorded for all five patients was essentially unchanged; however, cardiac index decreased to 3.1 +/- 0.4 L/min X m2 and wedge pressure increased to 17.5 +/- 2.1 mm Hg. This decompensated stage responded to iv infusion of dobutamine by an increase in cardiac index to 5.4 +/- 0.5 L/min X m2, a decrease in wedge pressure to 11.0 +/- 2.0 mm Hg, and an increase in mean blood pressure to 100 +/- 10 mm Hg. During recovery, echocardiograms returned to normal. All five patients developed severe adult respiratory distress syndrome. All had reversible ECG findings of sinus tachycardia, diffuse loss of voltage, flattened T waves and diffuse nonspecific ST-T wave changes. Our findings suggest a reversible toxic cardiomyopathy as the cause of cardiorespiratory failure in toxic shock syndrome. Our experience suggests inotropic support with dobutamine is beneficial in selected cases.
Bromism is an unusual occurrence. Historically bromism has been known to occur with chronic inges... more Bromism is an unusual occurrence. Historically bromism has been known to occur with chronic ingestion of bromide salts used as sleep medications. In this case, excessive consumption of a cola with brominated vegetable oil caused a severe case of bromism. The patient presented with headache, fatigue, ataxia, and memory loss which progressed over 30 days. He consumed 2 to 4 L of cola containing brominated vegetable oil on a daily basis before presenting with these symptoms. His significantly elevated serum chloride, as measured by ion specific methods, and negative anion gaps were overlooked during a prior hospitalization and emergency department visits. A focal neurologic finding of right eyelid ptosis led to an extensive evaluation for a central nervous system lesion. The patient continued to deteriorate, until he was no longer able to walk. A diagnosis of severe bromism was eventually made and his serum bromide was confirmed at 3180 mg/L (39.8 mmol/L). Despite saline loading the patient failed to improve but subsequent hemodialysis dramatically cleared his clinical condition, and reduced his serum bromide levels. The unilateral eyelid ptosis, a rarely reported finding in bromism, also resolved with hemodialysis. A negative anion gap or an elevated serum chloride should prompt an evaluation for bromism. In this case hemodialysis dramatically improved the patient's clinical condition and reduced the half-life of bromide to 1.38 h.
A 3,498 gram newborn with a large omphalocele detected by prenatal ultrasound was delivered at 38... more A 3,498 gram newborn with a large omphalocele detected by prenatal ultrasound was delivered at 3811⁄2 weeks by cesarean section in a metropolitan university teaching hospital. From the 1st through 4th days of life, she received topical povidone-iodine (BetadineO) applied twice daily over the omphalocele. From the 5th through 10th days of life, she underwent twice daily dressing changes with 2% merbromin (Mercurochrome®), until the hospital pharmacy exhausted its supply of merbromin (60 mL) and could obtain no more from any other hospitals in the region. Once merbromin was no longer available, the pediatric surgical service began using silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene®) from the 11th day of life onward. Blood mercury concentration obtained on the 9th day of life
Background. Legislation requiring bittering of antifreeze enables assessment of the impact on fre... more Background. Legislation requiring bittering of antifreeze enables assessment of the impact on frequency, volume, and severity of pediatric antifreeze ingestions. Methods. US poison control data for antifreeze ingestions in children younger than 5 years were analyzed comparing 232 ingestions occurring in states after enactment of bittering requirements with 6218 cases occurring in states (or at times) where bittering was not required. Results. The frequency of pediatric antifreeze ingestions was unchanged after implementation of bittering in Oregon and California. The medical outcome distribution, median volume ingested, and observed clinical effects were no different in bittered compared with nonbittered groups. Likewise, the rates of hospital admission, critical care treatment, and use of alkalinization, hemodialysis, or intubation showed no differences with bittering. Conclusion. Despite the appealing logic of limiting the ingested volume and thereby the severity of poisonings by ...
This report describes two patients who were victims of massive verapamil ingestion and then revie... more This report describes two patients who were victims of massive verapamil ingestion and then reviews the available literature. Because verapamil blocks the slow calcium channels of the heart and blood vessels, the use of calcium as a treatment would be logical. In the two cases reported here, calcium was only transiently effective in maintaining cardiac output and blood pressure. Several other agents were then used and most were ineffective. This is similar to experience reported in the literature that suggests that no single agent is capable of reversing verapamil's negative inotropic, dromotropic, chronotropic, and vascular smooth muscle effects.
A case of heat stroke is described in which the patient presented comatose with a rectal temperat... more A case of heat stroke is described in which the patient presented comatose with a rectal temperature exceeding 42.5 degrees C. Standard external evaporative cooling and iced gastric lavage failed to alter his temperature or mental status. Iced peritoneal lavage brought about a decrease in rectal temperature to 39.4 degrees C and significant improvement in mental status. The patient recovered uneventfully. Techniques of rapid cooling are discussed.
A 54-year-old man treated with dabigatran experienced new onset of a stroke with a score of 9 on ... more A 54-year-old man treated with dabigatran experienced new onset of a stroke with a score of 9 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) was not recommended because of the dabigatran therapy. Angiography showed occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery by an embolic thrombus. Suction thrombectomy achieved flow through the inferior division of the artery. Computed tomography of the head showed possible intracranial hemorrhage, and dabigatran reversal was attempted with prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant factor VIIa. Coagulation studies before administration of the reversal blood products showed a partial thromboplastin time of 30.3 seconds; 1 hour after administration, the partial thromboplastin time was 28.5 seconds. No evidence of intracranial hemorrhage was apparent on repeated computed tomography scans of the brain. He was discharged with aspirin and warfarin and a stroke score of 8. (Americ...
Abstract Introduction: The jequirity bean (Abrus precatorius) seed contains abrin, a toxalbumin, ... more Abstract Introduction: The jequirity bean (Abrus precatorius) seed contains abrin, a toxalbumin, that irreversibly binds the 60-s ribosomal subunit inhibiting protein synthesis. Neurologic manifestations of ingestions are rare. Case details: We present a case of a 20-year-old man with 24 h of vomiting, diarrhea and 2 h of hematemesis and hematochezia. He admitted to purchasing 1000 jequirity beans online, crushing and ingesting them 26 h prior to presentation in a suicide attempt. Over the next 2 days, he developed hallucinations, incomprehensible mumbling and grunting, disconjugate gaze with abnormal roving eye movements and a left gaze preference with his right eye deviated medially. There was a fine tremor of the upper extremities and he had brief episodes of choreoathetoid movements of his legs. A head CT was normal with no cerebral edema. He progressed to minimally responsive to noxious stimuli, and was unable to converse or follow commands and displayed increased choreoathetoid movements of his extremities. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed only mild background slowing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed showing bilaterally symmetric signal abnormalities in the basal ganglia, brainstem, corpus callosum and corona radiata with diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement. The patient developed a tonic–clonic seizure followed by pulseless electrical activity, from which he was resuscitated. He was provided comfort care and died just under 5 days after his ingestion. Results: Urine analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was positive for 8.84 ng/ml of l-abrine (4.96 ng l-abrine/mg creatinine) 61 h after admission to the hospital (approximately 87 h post-ingestion). Serum concentrations for l-abrine and ricinine were both below the limits of detection. Discussion: Ingestion of 1000 crushed jequirity beans purchased on the internet resulted in progressive encephalopathy and death.
Botulinum toxin is regarded as the most lethal substance known. It is estimated that the human LD... more Botulinum toxin is regarded as the most lethal substance known. It is estimated that the human LD50 for inhalation botulism is 1 to 3 nanograms of toxin/kilogram body mass. Although only three cases of inhalational botulism have been described, an understanding of the pathophysiology of food-borne outbreaks, wound botulism, and infant botulism, and their therapies, enables the medical community to plan treatment in the event of an aerosol release of botulinum toxin. Antitoxin, vaccine, and F(ab')2 immune fragment therapies are discussed as adjuncts to supportive therapy.
Fifteen patients with toxic shock syndrome were seen in a 2-yr period at a university medical cen... more Fifteen patients with toxic shock syndrome were seen in a 2-yr period at a university medical center. Five (33%) patients had severe cardiorespiratory failure and underwent hemodynamic monitoring before and during infusion of dobutamine hydrochloride (dobutamine). Three distinct hemodynamic stages were identified. Initially there was a hyperdynamic cardiovascular state with a high cardiac index (5.5 +/- 0.9 L/min X m2, mean +/- SEM), normal pulmonary artery wedge pressure (11.5 +/- 1.5 mm Hg), and low mean blood pressure (66 +/- 5 mm Hg). The second stage (decompensated) revealed myocardial dysfunction with decreased left ventricular fractional shortening. Serial two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms performed on two patients showed left atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic diameters at the upper limits of normal. The mean blood pressure recorded for all five patients was essentially unchanged; however, cardiac index decreased to 3.1 +/- 0.4 L/min X m2 and wedge pressure increased to 17.5 +/- 2.1 mm Hg. This decompensated stage responded to iv infusion of dobutamine by an increase in cardiac index to 5.4 +/- 0.5 L/min X m2, a decrease in wedge pressure to 11.0 +/- 2.0 mm Hg, and an increase in mean blood pressure to 100 +/- 10 mm Hg. During recovery, echocardiograms returned to normal. All five patients developed severe adult respiratory distress syndrome. All had reversible ECG findings of sinus tachycardia, diffuse loss of voltage, flattened T waves and diffuse nonspecific ST-T wave changes. Our findings suggest a reversible toxic cardiomyopathy as the cause of cardiorespiratory failure in toxic shock syndrome. Our experience suggests inotropic support with dobutamine is beneficial in selected cases.
Bromism is an unusual occurrence. Historically bromism has been known to occur with chronic inges... more Bromism is an unusual occurrence. Historically bromism has been known to occur with chronic ingestion of bromide salts used as sleep medications. In this case, excessive consumption of a cola with brominated vegetable oil caused a severe case of bromism. The patient presented with headache, fatigue, ataxia, and memory loss which progressed over 30 days. He consumed 2 to 4 L of cola containing brominated vegetable oil on a daily basis before presenting with these symptoms. His significantly elevated serum chloride, as measured by ion specific methods, and negative anion gaps were overlooked during a prior hospitalization and emergency department visits. A focal neurologic finding of right eyelid ptosis led to an extensive evaluation for a central nervous system lesion. The patient continued to deteriorate, until he was no longer able to walk. A diagnosis of severe bromism was eventually made and his serum bromide was confirmed at 3180 mg/L (39.8 mmol/L). Despite saline loading the patient failed to improve but subsequent hemodialysis dramatically cleared his clinical condition, and reduced his serum bromide levels. The unilateral eyelid ptosis, a rarely reported finding in bromism, also resolved with hemodialysis. A negative anion gap or an elevated serum chloride should prompt an evaluation for bromism. In this case hemodialysis dramatically improved the patient's clinical condition and reduced the half-life of bromide to 1.38 h.
A 3,498 gram newborn with a large omphalocele detected by prenatal ultrasound was delivered at 38... more A 3,498 gram newborn with a large omphalocele detected by prenatal ultrasound was delivered at 3811⁄2 weeks by cesarean section in a metropolitan university teaching hospital. From the 1st through 4th days of life, she received topical povidone-iodine (BetadineO) applied twice daily over the omphalocele. From the 5th through 10th days of life, she underwent twice daily dressing changes with 2% merbromin (Mercurochrome®), until the hospital pharmacy exhausted its supply of merbromin (60 mL) and could obtain no more from any other hospitals in the region. Once merbromin was no longer available, the pediatric surgical service began using silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene®) from the 11th day of life onward. Blood mercury concentration obtained on the 9th day of life
Background. Legislation requiring bittering of antifreeze enables assessment of the impact on fre... more Background. Legislation requiring bittering of antifreeze enables assessment of the impact on frequency, volume, and severity of pediatric antifreeze ingestions. Methods. US poison control data for antifreeze ingestions in children younger than 5 years were analyzed comparing 232 ingestions occurring in states after enactment of bittering requirements with 6218 cases occurring in states (or at times) where bittering was not required. Results. The frequency of pediatric antifreeze ingestions was unchanged after implementation of bittering in Oregon and California. The medical outcome distribution, median volume ingested, and observed clinical effects were no different in bittered compared with nonbittered groups. Likewise, the rates of hospital admission, critical care treatment, and use of alkalinization, hemodialysis, or intubation showed no differences with bittering. Conclusion. Despite the appealing logic of limiting the ingested volume and thereby the severity of poisonings by ...
This report describes two patients who were victims of massive verapamil ingestion and then revie... more This report describes two patients who were victims of massive verapamil ingestion and then reviews the available literature. Because verapamil blocks the slow calcium channels of the heart and blood vessels, the use of calcium as a treatment would be logical. In the two cases reported here, calcium was only transiently effective in maintaining cardiac output and blood pressure. Several other agents were then used and most were ineffective. This is similar to experience reported in the literature that suggests that no single agent is capable of reversing verapamil's negative inotropic, dromotropic, chronotropic, and vascular smooth muscle effects.
A case of heat stroke is described in which the patient presented comatose with a rectal temperat... more A case of heat stroke is described in which the patient presented comatose with a rectal temperature exceeding 42.5 degrees C. Standard external evaporative cooling and iced gastric lavage failed to alter his temperature or mental status. Iced peritoneal lavage brought about a decrease in rectal temperature to 39.4 degrees C and significant improvement in mental status. The patient recovered uneventfully. Techniques of rapid cooling are discussed.
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