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Gastric lavage with normal saline: effects on serum electrolytes
Y Gokel1, Y Sertdemir, M Yilmaz
1Department of Emergency, School of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. ygokel@cu.edu.tr
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy
|July 1, 2010
Summary
Gastric lavage with normal saline significantly lowers serum calcium, ionized calcium, and magnesium levels in amitriptyline-intoxicated patients. This finding highlights potential electrolyte disturbances following this intervention.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Amitriptyline intoxication is a serious medical condition requiring prompt management.
- Gastric lavage is a common decontamination procedure used in toxicology.
- Potential effects of gastric lavage on electrolyte balance are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gastric lavage with normal saline on serum calcium, ionized calcium, and magnesium levels.
- To quantify the changes in these electrolytes following the procedure in patients with amitriptyline overdose.
Main Methods:
- A study involving thirty adult patients diagnosed with amitriptyline intoxication.
- Baseline measurements of serum calcium, ionized calcium, and magnesium.
- Gastric lavage performed using normal saline.
- Serial monitoring of electrolyte levels at 15 minutes, 6 hours, and 12 hours post-lavage.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions observed in serum calcium levels post-lavage (p < 0.001).
- Significant decreases noted in serum ionized calcium levels (p = 0.004 at 15 minutes, p = 0.024 at 6 hours, p = 0.034 at 12 hours).
- Significant reductions in serum magnesium levels were also documented (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Gastric lavage with normal saline leads to a statistically significant decrease in serum calcium, ionized calcium, and magnesium.
- These findings suggest that electrolyte monitoring is crucial in patients undergoing gastric lavage for amitriptyline intoxication.
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