Fatal Ingestion of Hydrofluoric Acid in a Dementia Patient

ABSTRACT

As the elderly population continues to grow, the number of geriatric patients reported to poison centers continues to increase. Older poisoned patients are at an increased risk of death compared to younger adult patients. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of hydrofluoric acid poisoning along with a discussion of poisoning characteristics. A 79 year-old male with dementia visited emergency department presenting epigastic discomfort after ingestion of 50% hydrofluoric acid solution. At admission, he presented with a stable vital sign but progressed to pulseless electrical activity. In spite of advanced resuscitation efforts and administration of calcium gluconate, he rapidly detoriated and died 3 hours after the ingestion.