Serum markers and development of delayed neuropsychological sequelae after acute carbon monoxide poisoning: anion gap, lactate, osmolarity, S100B protein, and interleukin-6

OBJECTIVE: Reliable biomarkers of delayed neuropsychological sequelae (DNS) after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are lacking. This study investigated the associations between potential serum markers and the development of DNS after acute CO poisoning. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews were conducted for patients diagnosed with acute CO poisoning during a 28-month period. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of having developed DNS. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of DNS after CO poisoning. RESULTS: Of a total of 102 patients, 10 (9.8%) developed DNS. The levels of serum osmolarity, S100B protein, and serum lactate, as well as serum anion gap, were statistically significant in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that anion gap (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.88), serum lactate level (AOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.75), and serum S100B protein level ([AOR, 7.02×10⁵; 95% CI, 4.56×10² to 9.00×10¹⁰] in model 1, [AOR, 3.69×10⁵; 95% CI, 2.49×10² to 2.71×10¹¹] in model 2) were independently associated with DNS development. CONCLUSION: Based on our preliminary results, serum lactate level, serum anion gap, and serum S100B protein level in the emergency department could be informative predictors of DNS development in patients with acute CO poisoning. These markers might have the potential to improve early recognition of DNS in patients with acute CO poisoning.

Extracorporeal Therapy as a Treatment Method in Patients with Acute Ethylene Glycol Poisoning

PURPOSE: Extracorporeal treatment has been used increasingly to treat patients with acute ethylene glycol poisoning. We analyzed all patients with acute poisoning of ethylene glycol during a recent 10-year period to provide clinical recommendations for adequate application of continuous renal replacement therapy for these patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review study was conducted for patients whose final diagnosis were “toxic effects of glycols or other alcohols,” between October 2006 and September 2016. The basal characteristics of patients, suspected amount of ingestion, intention of poisoning, concomitant alcohol ingestion, mental state at admission, time from exposure to admission, chief complaint, length of hospital stay, method of treatments, laboratory results including acute kidney injury and urine oxalate crystal, as well as treatment results were examined. RESULTS: A total number of 14 patients were included in this study. Nine patients (64.3%) underwent continuous renal replacement therapy; 5 patients (35.7%) underwent ethanol mono-therapy. Between the antidote therapy group and the extracorporeal treatment group, there was a significant difference in the levels of plasma bicarbonate, chloride, anion gap, pH, and base excess in arterial blood gas analysis, as well as the calculated osmolar gap. One patient expired due to multi-organ failure, while the others recovered completely. CONCLUSION: Continuous renal replacement therapy was most frequently chosen as a treatment method in patients with acute ethylene glycol poisoning. Further research regarding indication of continuous renal replacement therapy and combing therapy with other treatment will be necessary to determine the best treatment method.

Flumazenil administration in suspected patients with acute hypnotics and sedatives poisoning: risk-benefit re-evaluation

PURPOSE: The use of flumazenil administration in the emergency department is still controversial because of concerns about adverse effects. The present study was conducted to re-evaluate the risk-benefit ratio associated with flumazenil administration to patients suspected of having acute hypnotics and sedatives poisoning in the emergency department. METHODS: A retrospective chart review study was conducted for patients whose final diagnoses were “poisoning” and “benzodiazepine” or “sedatives-hypnotics” from Mar. 2006 to Feb. 2015. The basal characteristics of the patients, including past medical history, ingredients and dose of ingested drug and co-ingested drugs were investigated. For patients administered flumazenil, responsiveness and time from admission to flumazenil administration were investigated with supplement. All collected data were analyzed in aspect terms of risk/benefit. RESULTS: A total of 678 patients were included in our study. Benzodiazepine was the most common sedative/hypnotic drug prescribed, and the frequency of prescription continuously increased. The proportion of TCA as co-ingestion decreased from 13.1% to 3.9% in patients with acute sedative/hypnotic poisoning. Flumazenil was administered to 55 patients (8.1%), of which 29 patients (52.7%) were applied to contraindications. Fifty-three patients (96.4%) showed positive responsiveness, including partial responsiveness after flumazenil administration. No severe adverse events were identified. CONCLUSION: Based on the current trends in prescription patterns for sedative/hypnotic drugs, increased use of non-TCA antidepressants, and responsiveness to administration of flumazenil, benefit seemed weighted more in this study, although the observed benefits were based on limited results. Further prospective multicenter studies will be needed to optimize benefit-risk ratio.