Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026
05:26
Postconditioning with Lactate-enriched Blood for Cardioprotection in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Published on: May 28, 2019
Complete recovery after massive ethylene glycol ingestion
1Department of Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02902.
Archives of Internal Medicine
|June 1, 1992
Summary
A massive antifreeze (ethylene glycol) ingestion was successfully treated in a 64-year-old man. Aggressive interventions, including hemodialysis, led to a complete recovery, exceeding survival levels in similar cases.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Nephrology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Ethylene glycol poisoning from antifreeze ingestion can lead to severe metabolic acidosis and acute kidney injury.
- High levels of ethylene glycol in the blood are typically associated with a poor prognosis and high mortality rates.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old male presented with a massive antifreeze ingestion.
- Initial ethylene glycol levels were significantly higher than those reported in previously documented survivors of similar poisonings.
Findings:
- The patient received rapid and aggressive treatment utilizing established medical protocols.
- Hemodialysis was a key component of the treatment regimen, alongside other recognized interventions.
- The patient achieved a complete recovery from the massive ethylene glycol intoxication.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for survival even with extremely high ethylene glycol levels when prompt and intensive treatment is administered.
- Aggressive management, particularly hemodialysis, can be life-saving in severe cases of antifreeze poisoning.
- The findings support the efficacy of current treatment guidelines for ethylene glycol toxicity and may inform future clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
01:26Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
01:26Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Poison can be effectively removed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various decontamination procedures.
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
01:29Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) progresses through distinct clinical phases: the oliguric, diuretic, and recovery phases, each marked by unique manifestations and challenges.Oliguric Phase:The oliguric phase is the initial stage of AKI, typically lasting 10 to 14 days. This phase is marked by a significant reduction in urine output, usually less than 400 mL per day, indicating decreased kidney function. Fluid retention is a prominent feature, leading to symptoms such as edema, hypertension, and...
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...