Why the study?
What are the clinical findings and outcomes of severe tricyclic antidepressant self-poisoning treated in an ICU?
What are the clinical findings and outcomes of severe tricyclic antidepressant self-poisoning treated in an ICU?
Severe tricyclic antidepressant poisoning presents with high rates of neurological and cardiovascular complications but has a low mortality rate (2%) when managed with intensive care and artificial ventilation.
Clinical findings on admission to hospital and outcome in 295 consecutive patients with severe tricyclic antidepressant self-poisoning treated in an ICU are presented. Cerebral depression was observed in 92%, convulsions in 23% and respiratory failure was present in 72%. Cardiovascular function was impaired in 44% and an abnormal ECG was found in 57%. Cardiac arrest was treated in 14 patients (6%) of whom seven were resuscitated. The mortality rate was 2%. All patients were artificially ventilated. A beneficial effect of respiratory alkalosis on cardiac arrhythmias is supported.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Strøm et al. (1984) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: