Acute cyanide poisoning: a case report
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Intra-cardiac Side-Firing Light Catheter for Monitoring Cellular Metabolism using Transmural Absorbance Spectroscopy of Perfused Mammalian Hearts
Published on: May 12, 2019
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Hospital, Bronx, New York, USA.
Abstract:
A case of attempted homicide by cyanide ingestion is reported. The victim, a 19-year-old woman, unknowingly ingested cyanide and presented to the Emergency Department unresponsive, in shock, and in profound metabolic acidosis. The differential diagnosis of this presentation and the patient's successful treatment are reviewed. The important management issues surrounding the treatment of cyanide poisoning are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Physical Properties of Amines
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Overview
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Antidotes
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Mechanism
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
