A randomized controlled trial of fresh frozen plasma for coagulopathy in Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming

Background Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming is a major health issue in South Asia and causes venom induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC). Objectives We investigated the effect of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and two antivenom doses in correcting VICC. Methods We undertook an open-label randomized controlled trial in patients with VICC at two Sri Lankan hospitals. Patients with suspected Russell's viper bites and coagulopathy were randomly allocated (1:1) high-dose antivenom (20 vials) or low-dose antivenom (10 vials) plus 4U FFP. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an international normalized ratio (INR)<2, 6h post-antivenom. Secondary outcomes included anaphylaxis, major haemorrhage, death and clotting factor recovery. Results From 214 eligible patients, 141 were randomized; 71 to high-dose antivenom, 70 to low-dose antivenom/FFP; five had no post-antivenom bloods. The groups were similar except for a delay of 1h in antivenom administration for FFP patients. 6h post-antivenom 23/69 (33%) patients allocated high-dose antivenom had an INR<2 compared with 28/67 (42%) allocated low-dose antivenom/FFP [absolute difference 8%;95%Confidence Interval:-8% to 25%]. 15 patients allocated FFP did not receive it. Severe anaphylaxis occurred equally frequently in each group. One patient given FFP developed transfusion related acute lung injury. Three deaths occurred in low-dose/FFP patients including one intracranial haemorrhage. There was no difference in recovery rates of INR or fibrinogen, but more rapid initial recovery of factor V and X in FFP patients. Conclusion FFP post-antivenom in Russell's viper bites didn't hasten recovery of coagulopathy. Low-dose antivenom/FFP did not worsen VICC, suggesting low-dose antivenom is sufficient

Venoms of South Asian hump-nosed pit vipers (Genus: Hypnale) cause muscarinic effects in BALB/c mice

Although clinical, in-vivo and in-vitro studies suggest the necrotic, haemorrhagic, pro-coagulant and nephrotoxic effects of South Asian Hump nosed pit vipers, reports on neurotoxic properties are limited to a single in-vitro study. Using BALB/c mice, for the first time, here we demonstrate the signs of envenoming suggestive of possible muscarinic effects of the venoms of all three Hypnale species. Further, we demonstrate that the muscarinic effects are occurred at lower venom doses by H. hypnale venom, compared to H. nepa and H. zara

Severe hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis following ingestion of gaviscon

Uncommon metabolic abnormalities in the emergency department could be a result of drug overdose due to uncommon agents. Case report. A 35-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 3/15 and a normal pulse rate and blood pressure. Subsequent questioning after recovery revealed he had ingested 2 L of Gaviscon® over the preceding 48 hours. He had normal haematology, liver, and renal function during admission. The electrocardiogram showed T wave inversion in the inferior leads on admission. Arterial blood gas on air was: pH 7.54, HCO3 50 mmol/L (50 meq/L), Chloride 66 mmol/L, anion gap was 19, pO2 11 kPa (82.5 mmHg), and pCO2 8 kPa (60 mmHg). Serum sodium was 127 mmol/L and serum potassium was 1.6 mmol/L. His GCS improved within one hour of admission with supportive care, and his serum potassium and bicarbonate improved within 24 hours. He subsequently made a full recovery. Discussion. Bicarbonate ingestion in the form of Gaviscon® and vomiting made this patient alkalotic, and simple supportive care provided effective management with a complete recovery. Conclusion. This case illustrates how a severe metabolic alkalosis can result from a significant ingestion of Gaviscon®, and that such presentations can give rise to diagnostic dilemm

Relative safety of hyperinsulinaemia/euglycaemia therapy in the management of calcium channel blocker overdose: A prospective observational study

Objective: To examine the clinical safety of hyperinsulinaemia/ euglycaemia therapy (HIET) in calcium channel blocker (CCB) poisoning. Design: A prospective observational study examining biochemical and clinical outcomes of a HIET protocol administered under local poisons centre guidance. Setting: Critical care settings. Patients: Seven patients with significant CCB toxicity [systolic blood pressure (BP) \u3c 90 mmHg] treated with HIET. Interventions: HIET was commenced after correction of any pre-existing hypoglycaemia ([blood glucose]\u3c 65 mg/dl) or hypokalaemia ([K+] \u3c 3.5 mmol/l). A quantity of 50 ml of 50% intravenous dextrose was followed by a loading dose (1 unit/kg) of intravenous short-acting insulin and an insulin maintenance infusion (0.5–2.0 units/kg/h). Euglycaemia was maintained using 5–10% dextrose infusions. Potassium was maintained within low normal range (3.8–4.0 mmol/l). Measurements and results: Six patients survived. All patients received fluids, calcium, and conventional inotropes. Three patients (who all ingested diltiazem) received an insulin-loading dose; all experienced a significant sustained rise in systolic BP (\u3e 10 mmHg) during the first hour of HIET. Systolic BP did not increase significantly in four patients who did not receive insulin loading. Single episodes of non-clinically significant biochemical hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia were recorded in one and two patients respectively. Hypoglycaemia was not recorded in any patient administered HIET during the 24 h following CCB ingestion. Conclusions: HIET used to treat CCB-induced cardiovascular toxicity is a safe intervention when administered in a critical care setting. Maximal HIET efficacy may be obtained when HIET is administered in conjunction with conventional therapy relatively early in the course of severe CCB poisoning when insulin resistance is high

Antivenom for snakebite envenoming in Sri Lanka: The need for geographically specific antivenom and improved efficacy

2083-06 Embargo por política editorialSri Lanka is a tropical developing island nation that endures significant economic and medical burden as a result of snakebite envenomation, having not only a high prevalence of envenomations, but also one of the highest incidence rates (200 snakebites/100,000 people/year) of venomous snakebite in the world (Kasturiratne et al., 2005). Ironically, the very snakes responsible for this human morbidity and mortality are a valuable biomedical and ecological national resource, despite the medical and economic consequences of envenomation. Currently, no snake antivenom is produced using venoms from native Sri Lankan snakes as immunogens, and there is a true need for an efficacious Sri Lanka, poly-specific snake antivenom. An approach to fulfilling this need via combining the scientific, technological and economical resources from Costa Rica and the United States with the knowledge and talent of Sri Lankan official governmental agencies, legal counsels, environmental, medical and veterinary academic institutions, and religious and cultural leaders has been initiated, coordinated and funded by Animal Venom Research International (AVRI), a nonprofit charity. This bridging of nations and the cooperative pooling of their resources represents a potential avenue for antivenom development in a developing country that suffers the consequences of few specific resources for the medical management of venomous snakebite. The desired final outcome of such an endeavor for Sri Lanka is, most importantly, improved medical outcomes for snakebite patients, with enhanced and expanded science and technology relating to snake venoms and antivenoms, and the collateral benefits of reduced economic cost for the country.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP

Improvement in the management of acutely poisoned patients using an electronic database, prospective audit and targeted educational intervention

Problem: The need to improve the clinical assessment and management of acutely poisoned patients presenting to an NHS hospital emergency department (ED). Design: Creation of an electronic clinical toxicology database to prospectively collect all aspects of clinical information on poisoned-patient presentations. Systematic analysis of collated information to identify shortfalls in patient assessment and management. Bimonthly audit meetings, and design and implementation of educational interventions to address identified shortfalls. Ongoing audit to demonstrate continued improvement in patient care. Background and setting: ED in tertiary-level inner-city London teaching hospital. Study conducted by staff from the ED and clinical toxicology service. Key measures for improvement: Demonstration of overall reduction in the incidence of predefined shortfalls in patient assessment and management during 12-month study period. Strategies for improvement: Targeted educational lectures and case-based clinical scenarios addressing identified deficiencies in the knowledge required to effectively manage poisoned patients. Weekly case-based anonymised feedback report sent electronically to staff involved in caring for poisoned patients. Effects of change: Implementation of targeted teaching of ED staff and regular electronic distribution of teaching cases. Between the first and second 6 months of the study, there was a significant increase in the proportion of presentations for which clinical management was graded as ‘‘good’’ (77.6% to 89.4%, p≺0.0001) and a significant reduction in the proportion of ‘‘major’’ (9.9% to 5.8%,p=0.012) and ‘‘minor’’ (12.6% to 4.8%, p≺0.0001) shortfalls. Lessons learnt: Systematic collection of clinical information, using a dedicated electronic database and subsequent review and audit of collated data by interested clinicians, enabled design and implementation of targeted educational interventions to address shortfalls in patient management. This process has led to significant improvements in the clinical care of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the ED