Related Experiment Videos
[Acute involuntary intoxication with gamma-hydroxybutyric acid]
F Lapostolle1, A Benaissa, C Meuleman
1Samu 93, hôpital Avicenne, 93009 Bobigny, France. frederic.lapostolle@avc.ap-hop-paris.fr
Annales Francaises D'Anesthesie Et De Reanimation
|June 23, 2001
Summary
Dangerous misuse of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (gamma-OH) led to poisoning in a US patient. Accidental ingestion caused a coma, but symptomatic treatment resulted in a favorable outcome and rapid discharge.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (gamma-OH) is an anesthetic drug with potential for dangerous misuse.
- Its consumption is prevalent among body-builders in the United States.
- Accidental poisoning can occur due to miscalculation in dilution.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old male patient presented with non-reactive coma (Glasgow Coma Scale 3), hypotension, and bradycardia.
- The patient had ingested approximately 200 mL of a gamma-OH liquid.
- Symptoms indicated a severe poisoning event.
Findings:
- The case presented is a typical example of gamma-hydroxybutyrate poisoning.
- Toxicological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of gamma-OH poisoning.
- The patient's poisoning was unintentional, stemming from a dilution error.
Implications:
- This case highlights the risks associated with gamma-OH misuse, even when unintentional.
- Prompt symptomatic treatment, including airway management and ventilation, is crucial for favorable outcomes.
- While common in the US, such poisonings are rare in France, suggesting geographical variations in usage and awareness.