Cyanide toxicity in the surgical intensive care unit: a case report.

Cyanide toxicity in the surgical intensive care unit: a case report.

Sipe E K; Trienski T L; Porter J M

The American surgeon

2001

2001-07

Hypertension is a widespread entity in the surgical intensive care unit. Not only is the clinical spectrum varied, but the armamentarium available to the clinician is also wide-ranging. Sodium nitroprusside, a potent vasodilator with a short half-life, is often used for hypertensive crisis and to deliberately maintain a low blood in certain clinical conditions. Cyanide toxicity is a known complication of sodium nitroprusside use. Herein is reported a case of probable cyanide toxicity in an elderly trauma patient. The pharmacology of sodium nitroprusside and the pitfalls of making the diagnosis of cyanide toxicity are discussed.

Female; Humans; Aged; Intensive Care Units; Cyanides/*poisoning; Hypertension/complications/*drug therapy; Nitroprusside/administration & dosage/pharmacokinetics/*poisoning; Poisoning/diagnosis/therapy; Wounds and Injuries/complications/therapy

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

684–686

7

67