Sri Lankan Journal of Anaesthesiology 17(1) : 42 – 44 (2009) AUDIT AUDIT ON ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING REQUIRING INTENSIVE CARE UNIT ADMISSION

Abstract

Organophosphates (OP) inhibits both cholinesterase and pseudo cholinesterase activities. The inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase causes accumulation of acetyl choline at synapses and over stimulation of muscarinic and cholinergic activities. The mortality rate is 3-25 % (2). Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is life saving. The clinical course of OP is very severe and may require intensive care management. Materials and methods: A retrospective audit was performed of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions at General Hospital Nuwara Eliya for a period of six months from 01 st of October 2007 to 31 st of March 2008. 31 patients were included. The diagnosis was made from th