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Published on: August 16, 2021
Cardiogenic shock caused by disulfiram
Ana Jerónimo1, Carla Meira, Augusta Amaro
1Serviço de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos, Portugal. anajeronimo@hotmail.com
Disulfiram intoxication can cause severe cardiogenic shock. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this rare but potentially fatal condition in patients with disulfiram poisoning.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Disulfiram is used to deter alcohol consumption.
- Disulfiram intoxication is rare but can cause severe cardiovascular complications.
Observation:
- A case of a female patient with refractory shock after deliberate self-poisoning with disulfiram is presented.
- Clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic assessments confirmed cardiogenic shock.
Findings:
- Disulfiram intoxication can lead to severe and potentially fatal cardiovascular manifestations, including cardiogenic shock.
- The case highlights refractory shock as a consequence of disulfiram overdose.
Implications:
- Clinicians should suspect disulfiram intoxication in cases of unexplained cardiogenic shock.
- Prompt and appropriate therapeutic interventions are essential for managing disulfiram-induced cardiovascular toxicity.
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