Episode #4: Poisoning and the diagnosis of brain death

Conclusion: unclear how long to wait before pronouncing brain death as many factors such as pharmacogenetics can alter normal metabolism   Summary Drug overdose can mimic brain death Be especially cautious in overdose involving the scary B’s: baclofen, barbiturate, benzodiazepine The 3-5 half life rule for drug clearance cannot be applied in the cases of overdose Half lives are measured at therapeutic levels Multiple other factors can alter metabolism in overdoses, such as pharmacogenetics, and cross reactivity with other ingestants Consult a toxicologist if there is any question regarding possible overdose in the diagnosis of brain death  NOTE: On the podcast, Leon mistakenly identifies Joe Rotella as @toxtalk. Joe is actually @toxrocks — @toxtalk is the feed from the UMass Division of Toxicology. Both are excellent and well worth following. Quizzler from episode 3 Kaboom! Q:  The Guinness World record recently named this pepper the hottest pepper in the world. What is its name and who makes it? A: Smokin’ Ed’s ‘Carolina Reaper’ by the Puckerbutt Pepper Company rating an average of 1,569,300 Scoville Heat Units Congratulations Thomas Gilmore!   Current Quizzler Posted at the end of the podcast Submit responses and any feedback to toxtrivia@gmail.com The first correct response wins a $10 amazon gift card and a Poison Review t-shirt (bonus prize!)   Bibliography Greer DM, Varelas PN, Haque S, Wijdicks EF. (2008). Variability of brain death dete...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Podcast Source Type: news