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Published on: April 13, 2010
Cholinergic crisis after rodenticide poisoning
Muhammad Waseem1, Christopher Perry, Scott Bomann
1Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center, Bronx, New York.
The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine
|February 5, 2011
Summary
Illegally imported rodenticides, like aldicarb in "Tres Pasitos," can cause severe poisoning. Emergency physicians must recognize and manage these carbamate pesticide exposures, distinct from common superwarfarin rodenticides.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Rodenticides are common in suicide attempts, typically superwarfarins managed conservatively.
- Illegally imported rodenticides pose unique poisoning risks.
- Aldicarb, a carbamate pesticide, causes severe cholinergic crisis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an unusual case of poisoning from the illegally imported rodenticide "Tres Pasitos."
- To highlight the risks of aldicarb, a potent carbamate pesticide.
- To inform emergency physicians about managing carbamate and organophosphate poisonings.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient poisoned with "Tres Pasitos."
- Review of the mechanism of action, clinical manifestations, and management of aldicarb poisoning.
- Literature review on carbamate and organophosphate pesticide poisonings.
Main Results:
- The case involved poisoning by aldicarb, a carbamate pesticide, leading to a cholinergic crisis.
- Distinguishes aldicarb poisoning from typical superwarfarin rodenticide ingestions.
- Emphasizes the need for emergency physicians to recognize and manage rare pesticide poisonings.
Conclusions:
- Emergency physicians must be prepared to manage poisonings from illegally imported toxic substances.
- Recognizing cholinergic toxidromes is crucial for effective treatment.
- Increased global travel necessitates awareness of diverse toxicological threats.
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