Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
2745277 
Journal Article 
Acute cyanide poisoning: Clinical spectrum, diagnosis, and treatment 
Borron, SW; Baud, FJ 
1996 
1 
Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju / Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology
ISSN: 0004-1254
EISSN: 1848-6312 
BIOSIS/97/04609 
47 
3 
307-322 
English 
BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Cyanide poisoning presents in many forms. Industrial intoxications occur due to extensive use of cyanide compounds as reaction products. Smoke inhalation, a polyintoxication, is most often responsible for domestic cyanide poisonings. Suicidal poisonings are rare. Cyanogenic compounds may produce acute or subacute toxicity. Signs of cyanide poisoning include headache, vertigo, agitation, confusion, coma, convulsions and death. Definitive laboratory confirmation is generally delayed. Elevated plasma lactate, associated with cardiovascular collapse, should suggest cyanide intoxication. Immediate treatment includes 100% oxygen, assisted ventilation, decontamination, correction of acidosis and blood pressure support. Antidotes include oxygen, hydroxocobalamin, di-cobalt EDTA and methaemoglobin-inducers. Hydroxocobalamin is an attractive antidote due to its rapid cyanide binding and its lack of serious side-effects, even in the absence of cyanide intoxication. Sodium thiosulp