Intoxicación por ácido acetilsalicílico, fisiopatología y manejo / Physiopathology and management of acetylsalicylic acid intoxication

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) intoxication is potentially lethal. After ingestion, AAS is rapidly transformed into salicylic acid that dissociates into an hydrogen ion plus salicylate. Salicylate is the main form of AAS in the body and produces multiple alterations. Initially, the stimulation of the ventilatory center promotes a respiratory alkalosis. Then, the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by salicylate, will generate a progressive metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of ketoacids, lactic acid and dicarboxylic acids among others. Another alterations include hydro electrolytic disorders, gastrointestinal lesions, neurological involvement, ototoxicity and coagulopathy. The correct handling of acetylsalicylic acid intoxication requires an thorough knowledge of its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Treatment consists in life support measures, gastric lavage, activated charcoal and urinary alkalization to promote the excretion of salicylates. In some occasions, it will be necessary to start renal replacement therapy as soon as possible.

Injuria pulmonar aguda en la intoxicación por ácido acetilsalicílico: Caso clínico y revisión bibliográfica / Acute lung injury due to acetylsalicylic acid poisoning: Case report and review

La intoxicación por salicilatos frecuentemente no es tenida en cuenta como causa de edema pulmonar no cardiogénico y de alteración del sensorio en pacientes adultos. Se describe el caso de una mujer de 52 años de edad, la cual presentó dos episodios de edema pulmonar no cardiogénico habiendo requerido para su manejo, asistencia ventilatoria mecánica. La presentación clínica de la intoxicación fue reconocida al ingreso al servicio de urgencias y llevó al diagnóstico correcto. Se le realizó hemodiálisis y alcalinización urinaria llevando a una rápida resolución del edema pulmonar. Varios aspectos de la presentación clínica sugirieron que la paciente tenía una intoxicación crónica, una condición que a menudo no es diagnosticada oportunamente, lo que contribuye al aumento de la morbi-mortalidad en estos pacientes. Frente a un caso de edema pulmonar agudo no cardiogénico debe considerarse la posibilidad de intoxicación con salicilatos, porque la institución rápida de una terapia apropiada, incluyendo la hemodiálisis, una vez establecido el diagnóstico, es un factor determinante de los resultados en esta grave intoxicación.

Salicylate intoxication is frequently overlooked as a cause of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and altered mental status in adult patients. We described the case of a 52 years-old woman who presented two episodes of recurrent non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema requiring intubation. On admission, recognition of the clinical syndrome in the emergency department led to the correct diagnosis of salicylate intoxication. The patient was successfully treated with hemodialysis and urinary alkalinization, leading to rapid resolution of pulmonary edema and extubation. Several aspects of the clinical presentation suggest that the patient suffered from chronic salicylism, a condition often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late in the course of disease, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality in these patients. This poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute pulmonary edema not cardiogenic and altered sensorium because rapid institution of appropriate therapy, including hemodialysis, once the diagnosis is established is an important determinant of outcome in this serious disorder.