[Acute poisoning with cardiovascular drugs: data from Acute Poisoning Ward in Tarnów]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Toxicology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular drugs are widely prescribed, increasing the potential for overdose and poisoning incidents.
• Poisoning cases present a significant challenge in internal medicine and acute toxicology wards.
• Understanding the patterns of cardiovascular drug poisoning is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence and characteristics of cardiovascular drug poisonings treated at a specific hospital ward.
• To identify the most common types of cardiovascular drugs involved in poisoning cases.
• To report on treatment outcomes, including fatalities, and present a specific case of propafenone poisoning.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patient data from the II Ward of Internal Diseases and Acute Poisonings in Tarnów.
• Data collection covered a six-year period from 1996 to 2001.
• Inclusion criteria focused on patients treated for poisonings specifically involving cardiovascular drugs.

Main Results:

• A total of 66 patients were treated for cardiovascular drug poisonings, constituting 4.5% of all toxicological cases during the study period.
• Antihypertensive drugs were the most frequent cause (44 cases), with beta-blockers being the most common subtype (17 cases).
• No fatalities were recorded among the treated patients; however, a case of suicidal propafenone poisoning in a young male was documented.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular drug poisonings, particularly with antihypertensives, are a notable concern in acute poisoning cases.
• While serious, these poisonings, as observed in this cohort, may not necessarily lead to fatalities with appropriate medical intervention.
• The case of propafenone poisoning highlights the need for vigilance regarding specific drug overdoses, even in younger populations.