Seven years of cyanide ingestions in the USA: critically ill patients are common, but antidote use is not.

BACKGROUND: Cyanide is a common toxin in structural fires and a salt that is ingested for suicide. However, most studies have focused on the effects of inhaled cyanide. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of cyanide ingestions, symptoms, cardiac arrest and antidotal therapy used as reported to all US poison centres over 7 years. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases over 7 years as reported to 61 poison centres in the USA was performed. Sole ingestions of cyanide were identified. A trained reviewer used a standard data collection sheet within a secured electronic database. Age, intent, clinical effects, treatments, antidotes and outcomes were recorded. One investigator audited a random sample of charts. RESULTS: Out of 1741 exposures, 435 ingestions were identified. Most were male (68%) and the mean age was 34 years (range 1 month-83 years). 45% of cases were intentional, most commonly as a suicide attempt. 8.3% of cases died and 9% (38/435) of patients had cardiac arrest or hypotension. 13% of all cases and 26% of cases arriving at a healthcare facility received an antidote. In 35% of cases of cardiac arrest or hypotension, and in 74% of intentional ingestions, antidotes were not given. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide attempt was the most common reason for cyanide ingestion. Most of these patients died. Cardiac arrest or hypotension was common, but antidote use was not, particularly in critically ill patients. Research is needed to improve outcomes of cyanide-induced hypotension and cardiac arrest and to reduce barriers to antidote use.

Six years of epinephrine digital injections: absence of significant local or systemic effects.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Epinephrine autoinjectors are known to result in accidental digital injections. Treatment recommendations and adverse outcomes are based on case reports. The objective of our study is to determine the frequency of digit ischemia after epinephrine autoinjector digital injections. In addition, we describe the frequency of epinephrine digital injections, treatments used, adverse local effects, and systemic effects. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on cases reported to 6 poison centers during 6 years, using a search of the Texas Poison Center Network database. Patients who had an epinephrine injection of the hand were reviewed, and digital injections were included. Variables collected included demographics, local and systemic effects, symptom duration, treatments used, comorbidities, and whether admission, surgery, or hand surgery consultation was used. One trained abstractor used a standard electronic data collection form. RESULTS: There were 365 epinephrine injections to the hand identified for the 6-year period. Of these, 213 were digital injections, and 127 had follow-up. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms. None of the patients were hospitalized or received hand surgery consultation or surgical care. Significant systemic effects were not reported. Pharmacologic vasodilatory treatment was used in 23% (29/127) of patients. Ischemic effects were documented for 4 patients, and 2 of these had symptom resolution within 2 hours. All 4 patients received vasodilatory therapy and were discharged home, with complete resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: In our series of patients using poison center calls about digital epinephrine autoinjections, there were no cases in which clinically apparent systemic effects were recorded and few patients had ischemia. No patient was admitted or had surgery. Most clinicians did not use vasodilation medications or techniques.