[Ventricular fibrillation following deodorant spray inhalation]

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Cardiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Inhalant abuse, particularly of volatile hydrocarbons like butane found in antiperspirant aerosols, poses significant health risks.
• Cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest are known, albeit rare, complications associated with butane toxicity.

Observation:

• A case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting with ventricular fibrillation occurred after a patient intentionally inhaled butane from an antiperspirant aerosol.
• The patient received prompt management with a semi-automatic external defibrillator at the scene.

Findings:

• Successful resuscitation was achieved through early intervention with a semi-automatic defibrillator.
• The proposed mechanism of butane toxicity involves heightened sensitivity of cardiac receptors to catecholamines, potentially leading to cardiac arrest.
• This sensitivity may also explain difficulties encountered during resuscitation efforts.

Implications:

• Early defibrillation is crucial for successful resuscitation in butane-induced cardiac arrest.
• Understanding the mechanism of butane toxicity can inform treatment strategies and potentially guide the use of medications like epinephrine.
• This case underscores the dangers of volatile substance abuse and the importance of prompt emergency medical response.