A retrospective review of 911 calls to a regional poison control center.

BACKGROUND: There is little data as to what extent national Emergency Medical Services (EMS; 911) utilize poison control centers (PCCs). A review of data from our PCC was done to better understand this relationship and to identify potential improvements in patient care and health care savings. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of a single PCC to identify calls originating from 911 sources over a 4-year study period (1/1/08-12/31/11). Recorded variables included the origin of call to the PCC, intent of exposure, symptoms, management site, hospital admission, and death. Odds ratios (OR) were developed using multiple logistic regressions to identify risk factors for EMS dispatch, management site, and the need for hospital admission. RESULTS: A total of 7556 charts were identified; 4382 (58%) met inclusion criteria. Most calls (63.3%) involved accidental exposures and 31% were self-harm or misuse. A total of 2517 (57.4%) patients had symptoms and 2044 (50.8%) were transported to an Emergency Department (ED). Over 38% of calls (n = 1696) were handled primarily by the PCC and did not result in EMS dispatch; only 6.5% of cases (n = 287) with initial PCC involvement resulted in crew dispatch. There were 955 (21.8%) cases that resulted in admission, and five deaths. The OR for being transported to an ED was 45.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.2-68.4) when the crew was dispatched by the PCC. Hospital admission was predicted by intent for self-harm (OR 5.0; 95% CI: 4.1-6.2) and the presence of symptoms (OR 2.43; 95% CI: 1.9-3.0). The ORs for several other predictive variables are also reported. CONCLUSIONS: When 911 providers contact a PCC about poisoning-related emergencies, a history of intentional exposure and the presence of symptoms each predicted EMS dispatch by the PCC, patient transport to an ED, and hospital admission. Early involvement of a PCC may prevent the need for EMS activation or patient transfer to a health care facility.

Massive Atenolol, Lisinopril, and Chlorthalidone Overdose Treated with Endoscopic Decontamination, Hemodialysis, Impella Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device, and ECMO.

BACKGROUND: Overdose of cardiovascular medications is increasingly associated with morbidity and mortality. We present a case of substantial atenolol, chlorthalidone, and lisinopril overdose treated by multiple modalities with an excellent outcome. CONCLUSION: Aggressive medical intervention did not provide sufficient hemodynamic stability in this patient with refractory cardiogenic and distributive shock. Impella® percutaneous left ventricular assist device and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provided support while the effects of the overdose subsided. We present concentrations demonstrating removal of atenolol with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. This is the first report of esophagogastroduo denoscopy decontamination of this overdose with a large pill fragment burden.

Serotonin syndrome associated with metaxalone overdose.

INTRODUCTION: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening entity associated with pro-serotonergic medications in therapeutic use, in overdose, or when co-administered with other drugs. A broad range of drugs and drug combinations have been associated with serotonin syndrome. Metaxalone overdose associated with serotonin syndrome has not been previously reported. CASE REPORT: (Case 1) A 23-year-old female overdosed on tramadol and metaxalone. She developed dysautonomia, diaphoresis, lower extremity rigidity and spontaneous clonus, flaccid upper extremities, and hyperthermia 5 h after ingestion. Her course was complicated by status epilepticus. (Case 2) A 56-year-old female overdosed on metaxalone and was found unresponsive. She developed dysautonomia, lower extremity rigidity and spontaneous clonus, flaccid upper extremities, rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, and hyperthermia. Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade and cooling blankets were required to control hyperthermia in both cases. Serum metaxalone levels were markedly elevated in both cases. CONCLUSION: These are the first reported cases of metaxalone overdose associated with serotonin syndrome, which may be related to monoamine oxidase inhibition.

Hemodialysis treatment of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with chronic lithium toxicity.

INTRODUCTION: A patient with chronic lithium toxicity developed a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia that resolved during removal of lithium by hemodialysis. Chronic lithium toxicity commonly results from diminished elimination and can produce neurotoxicity. Cardiovascular complications have been reported and generally affect the sinoatrial node and produce bradyarrhythmias. The majority of these arrhythmias require no emergent intervention. Ventricular arrhythmias associated with lithium toxicity are occasionally mentioned in the literature, but actual cases are rarely reported. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old man was brought into the emergency department with a 3-day history of progressive encephalopathy, tremor, and weakness. The lithium level was elevated at 2.2 mmol/L, with a normal serum potassium. Electrocardiography revealed nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (120-130 beats/min) lasting up to 1 min, alternating with sinus bradycardia and wandering atrial pacemaker. Episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia recurred >100 times. The patient required a norepinephrine infusion for hypotension. Emergent hemodialysis was initiated to remove lithium and to treat the monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, which was felt to be secondary to lithium toxicity. Episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia abated as hemodialysis progressed. The episodes resolved completely within 4 h of initiating hemodialysis. The patient was discharged home in sinus rhythm on day 5. Lithium was not reinstated. CONCLUSION: Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with chronic lithium toxicity is exceptionally rare. Hemodialysis is a treatment option.

A case of neurotoxicity following envenomation by the Sidewinder rattlesnake, Crotalus cerastes.

INTRODUCTION: North American rattlesnake envenomations typically result in local tissue injury and hematologic derangements. Neurotoxicity is uncommon but when present often manifests as fasciculations and paresthesias. Neurotoxicity following Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) envenomation has not been previously reported. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old man bitten on the right foot developed painful paresthesias, weakness and fasciculations of the right lower extremity, and involuntary muscle contractions of the anterior thigh. Local tissue effects and hemotoxicity never developed. The patient was discharged 5 days after the bite with resolution of fasciculations but continued to have right-sided weakness. The snake was identified as a Sidewinder, C. cerastes, by the patient and two independent herpetologists. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of a Sidewinder rattlesnake envenomation resulting in neurotoxicity.

Complications following antidotal use of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy.

The primary objective is to identify and describe the complications associated with the use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy as an antidote for lipophilic drug toxicity. This study is a retrospective chart review of patients treated with ILE at two academic medical centers between 2005 and 2012. Based on previously reported complications, we hypothesized that pancreatitis, ARDS, and lipemia-induced laboratory interference might occur. Clinical definitions of these complications were defined a priori. Subjects treated with ILE who did not develop at least one complication were excluded. A total of nine patients were treated with ILE during the study period, six of whom experienced potential complications as a result of the ILE. Two patients developed pancreatitis, and four patients had lipemia-induced interference of interpretation of laboratory studies, despite ultracentrifugation. Laboratory interference precluded one patient from being an organ donor. Three patients developed ARDS; although temporally associated, a causal relationship between ILE and the development of ARDS cannot be clearly established. As ILE is increasingly used for less severe cases of drug toxicity, clinicians should be aware of potential complications associated with its use. A risk-benefit assessment for the use of ILE should be implemented on a case-by-case basis.

Recurrent seizures and serotonin syndrome following "2C-I" ingestion.

The phenethylamines, including 2, 5 dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine, commonly referred to as 2C-I, have recently emerged as a new class of designer drugs. Cases of toxicity from these drugs are not well described in the literature. This case report describes a 19 year-old male who insufflated 2C-I. Following the ingestion, the patient developed recurrent seizures, and was taken to the emergency department, where he was noted to be hyperadrenergic and had recurrent seizures. The patient was diagnosed with serotonin syndrome and experienced prolonged respiratory failure, although he ultimately made a full recovery. Comprehensive drug testing revealed the presence of 2C-I. The pharmacologic properties of 2C-I are also discussed.