Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Intra-cardiac Side-Firing Light Catheter for Monitoring Cellular Metabolism using Transmural Absorbance Spectroscopy of Perfused Mammalian Hearts
Published on: May 12, 2019
Acute cyanide poisoning in prehospital care: new challenges, new tools for intervention
1Division of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. eohtlg@gwumc.edu
Abstract:
Effective management of cyanide poisoning from chemical terrorism, inhalation of fire smoke, and other causes constitutes a critical challenge for the prehospital care provider. The ability to meet the challenge of managing cyanide poisoning in the prehospital setting may be enhanced by the availability of the cyanide antidote hydroxocobalamin, currently under development for potential introduction in the United States. This paper discusses the causes, recognition, and management of acute cyanide poisoning in the prehospital setting with emphasis on the emerging profile of hydroxocobalamin, an antidote that may have a risk:benefit ratio suitable for empiric, out-of-hospital treatment of the range of causes of cyanide poisoning. If introduced in the U.S., hydroxocobalamin may enhance the role of the U.S. prehospital responder in providing emergency care in a cyanide incident.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
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,...
Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

