Aluminum phosphide poisoning: Possible role of supportive measures in the absence of specific antidote

Vijay Kumar Agrawal, Abhishek Bansal, Ranjeet Kumar Singh, Bhanwar Lal Kumawat, Parul MahajanIndian Journal of Critical Care Medicine 2015 19(2):109-112Aluminum phosphide (ALP) poisoning is one of the major causes of suicidal deaths. Toxicity by ALP is caused by the liberation of phosphine gas, which rapidly causes cell hypoxia due to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, leading to circulatory failure. Treatment of ALP toxicity is mainly supportive as there is no specific antidote. We recently managed 7 cases of ALP poisoning with severe hemodynamic effects. Patients were treated with supportive measures including gastric lavage with diluted potassium permanganate, coconut oil and sodium-bicarbonate first person account should be avoided in a scientific paper. Intravenous magnesium sulfate, proper hemodynamic monitoring and vasopressors. Four out of 7 survived thus suggesting a role of such supportive measures in the absence of specific antidote for ALP poisoning.

Source: Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine - February 6, 2015 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Vijay Kumar AgrawalAbhishek BansalRanjeet Kumar SinghBhanwar Lal KumawatParul Mahajan Source Type: research