Concentration-dependent mortality of chloroquine in overdose.

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are used extensively in malaria and rheumatological conditions, and now in COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Although generally safe they are potentially lethal in overdose. In-vitro data suggest that high concentrations and thus high doses are needed for COVID-19 infections, but as yet there is no convincing evidence of clinical efficacy.

Digoxin-specific Fab fragments as single first-line therapy in digitalis poisoning.

Objective: Despite administration of Fab fragments in digitalis poisoning, high mortality rates are consistently reported. A previous study suggested that Fab fragments prescribed as first-line therapy might improve mortality rate. Our objective was to evaluate this approach.

A survey of tracheal intubation difficulty in the operating room: a prospective observational study.

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe all degrees of endotracheal intubation difficulty among patients attended by eight anesthesiologists during routine surgery over a six-month period. Airway characteristics were routinely assessed preoperatively, according to the anesthesiologists' usual practice.

Methods: Difficult tracheal intubation was evaluated by the Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS), a quantitative score based on seven variables.

The intubation difficulty scale (IDS): proposal and evaluation of a new score characterizing the complexity of endotracheal intubation.

Background: A quantitative scale of intubation difficulty would be useful for objectively comparing the complexity of endotracheal intubations. The authors have developed a quantitative score that can be used to evaluate intubating conditions and techniques with the aim of determining the relative values of predictive factors of intubation difficulty and of the techniques used to decrease such difficulties.

Methods: An Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS) was developed, based on parameters known to be associated with difficult intubation.

Early complications and value of initial clinical and paraclinical observations in victims of smoke inhalation without burns.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of early pulmonary complications and the value of initial clinical signs and paraclinical investigations in victims of smoke inhalation not suffering from burns following structural fires.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Thirteen-bed ICU.

Therapeutic trial of diazepam versus placebo in acute chloroquine intoxications of moderate gravity.

Objective: Acute chloroquine intoxication is responsible for a membrane-stabilising effect which results in electrocardiographic (ECG) and hemodynamic disturbances. Diazepam is used in acute chloroquine intoxication on the basis of clinical and experimental observations, but its utility alone, in man, remains unproven. The goal of this study was to verify whether diazepam alone has an effect on the membrane-stabilising effect observed in moderately severe chloroquine intoxications.

[Acute chloroquine poisoning].

Acute chloroquine intoxication is responsible for grave cardiovascular disturbances which may be rapidly life-threatening. For this reason, any suspicion of acute chloroquine intoxication requires hospitalisation in an intensive care unit for a minimum of 12 hours. Cardiovascular toxicity is linked to a potent membrane-stabilizing effect, which is also responsible for transfer-dependent hypokalemia, the degree of which is directly associated with the gravity of the intoxication.

Treatment of acute chloroquine poisoning: a 5-year experience.

Objective: To describe various aspects of prognostic and therapeutic importance in patients treated for acute chloroquine poisoning.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Toxicology intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital.

Hyperthermia complicating tricyclic antidepressant overdose.

We observed a 51-year-old woman who was admitted for severe amitriptyline overdose. Besides major cardiovascular complications, the patient developed severe hyperpyrexia with a central body temperature of more than 43 degrees C for 5 h. The patient died on day 3 from cardiocirculatory collapse and arrhythmias.

A case of life-threatening lactic acidosis after smoke inhalation - interference between beta-adrenergic agents and ethanol?

A 49-year-old male developed bronchospasm and severe lactic acidosis after exposition to fire smoke. The correction of lactic acidosis following beta-adrenergic agents withdrawal, and the transitory increase in lactate after salbutamol reintroduction are consistent with hypersensitivity to salbutamol. However, the plasma lactate concentration (32.

Hypokalaemia related to acute chloroquine ingestion.

Large doses of chloroquine can cause poisoning. Our aim was to determine the possible relation between the plasma potassium concentration on admission with the severity of acute chloroquine poisoning and to assess the mechanism of chloroquine-induced hypokalaemia. We conducted a retrospective study of 191 consecutive cases.