Acute aspirin overdose: mechanisms of toxicity

The case history described herein illustrates many of the salient clinical and laboratory features of acute salicylate overdose. Aspirin overdose remains a commonly used means of attempting suicide in young adults. This case demonstrates the role of the laboratory in the management of salicylate overdose. Medical treatment of several critical concurrent metabolic responses was dependent on frequent evaluations of serum electrolytes, blood and urine pH, blood PO2, blood PCO2, and blood HCO3- concentrations. In addition, essential to her excellent medical care was the ongoing close interaction between the clinical toxicology laboratory and the clinical staff.