Successful treatment of metoprolol-induced cardiac arrest with high-dose insulin, lipid emulsion, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

β-Adrenergic antagonist toxicity causes cardiovascular collapse often refractory to standard therapy. Alternative therapies include high-dose insulin, lipid emulsion, and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). A 47-year-old man ingested 10 g of metoprolol tartrate in a suicide attempt. Upon emergency department presentation, he was comatose, bradycardic, and hypotensive. Glucagon (14 mg IV) and vasopressor/inotropic support (epinephrine 0.1 μg/[kg min], dobutamine 10 μg/[kg min]) were administered.
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research