RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Aluminum phosphide is a commonly used pesticide, particularly in developing countries where uncontrolled insecticides and pesticides are commonly prevalent. Mortalities have been reported due to accidental and suicidal exposures to aluminum phosphide. To date, there has been no reported mortality case of aluminum phosphide in Lebanon. In addition, there is no specific antidote for aluminum phosphide toxicity and the treatment is mainly supportive. This is why awareness should be spread about this case to include it in the differential diagnoses and enhance prompt management and response in future encounters. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 37-year-old male, presented to the emergency department of Notre Dame des Secours University Hospital Center for a suicidal attempt after ingesting 5 tablets of pesticide containing 56% aluminum phosphide an hour prior to presentation. Shortly after the presentation, the patient began deteriorating and became clinically unstable. The patient was then intubated and was started on sodium bicarbonate along with aggressive fluid resuscitation. The patient remained hypotensive even after giving vasopressors. He was then later admitted to the intensive care unit for further management. However, the patient further decompensated and developed multiorgan failure. This is the first case of mortality in Lebanon from aluminum phosphide toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency physicians should include aluminum phosphide toxicity in the differential diagnosis when dealing with patients ingesting unknown pesticides especially when they smell the characteristic garlic-like odor. The toxicity from ALP leads to multiorgan failure and death rapidly. Thus, it is of utmost importance to start early, and aggressive resuscitation given that there is no specific antidote.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Boarding of critically ill patients in the emergency department (ED) has long been known to compromise patient care and affect outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple hospitals worldwide experienced overcrowded emergency rooms. Large influx of patients outnumbered hospital beds and required prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the ED. Our aim was to assess the ED LOS effect on mortality and morbidity, in addition to the predictors of in-hospital mortality, intubation, and complications of critically ill COVID-19 ED boarder patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, investigating 145 COVID-19-positive adult patients who were critically ill, required intensive care unit (ICU), and boarded in the ED of a tertiary care center in Lebanon. Data on patients who boarded in the emergency from January 1, 2020, till January 31, 2021, was gathered and studied. RESULTS: Overall, 66% of patients died, 60% required intubation, and 88% developed complications. Multiple risk factors were associated with mortality naming age above 65 years, vasopressor use, severe COVID pneumonia findings on CT chest, chemotherapy treatment in the previous year, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, prolonged ED LOS, and low SaO2 < 95% on triage. In addition, our study showed that staying long hours in the ED increased the risk of developing complications. CONCLUSION: To conclude, all efforts need to be drawn to re-establish mitigation strategies and models of critical care delivery in the ED to alleviate the burden of critical boarders during pandemics, thus decreasing morbidity and mortality rates. Lessons from this pandemic should raise concern for complications seen in ED ICU boarders and allow the promotion of health measures optimizing resource allocation in future pandemic crises.
RESUMO
The Indo-Pacific pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus is a tetrodotoxin-containing species believed to have entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is primarily found in the liver, intestine, and ovaries of L. sceleratus. We report a case of a patient with TTX poisoning from L. sceleratus consumption in Lebanon. History of ingestion, clinical presentation, and exam findings were obtained during phone-based consultation with the patient and intensive care physician. A 46-year-old male presented to a hospital in Lebanon with perioral and extremity numbness as well as dizziness 1 h after ingestion of an L. sceleratus fish. He had caught and prepared the fish himself and had eaten a skinless piece of flesh. Over the following 6 h he also developed ataxia and generalized body numbness. His treatment included systemic hydrocortisone, antihistamine, activated charcoal, and fluids. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he developed self-limited, stable sinus bradycardia. He was discharged home on hospital day 5 with residual lightheadedness that improved over several days. This is one of the first reported cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning due to L. sceleratus in Lebanon. Public awareness regarding the toxicity of this species after any ingestion is essential to prevent toxicity and death.
