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Fatality from potassium gold cyanide poisoning.
Elizabeth Harmon1, Jacob Lebin1, David Murphy1
1Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
BMJ Case Reports
|July 28, 2019
Summary
Potassium gold cyanide ingestion can be fatal, potentially causing severe lactic acidosis and multiorgan dysfunction. Gold toxicity may contribute to severe outcomes, necessitating consideration in treatment protocols for this poisoning.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Case Study
Background:
- Potassium cyanide poisoning is well-documented, but the specific toxicity of potassium gold cyanide remains less understood.
- This report details a case of intentional ingestion of potassium gold cyanide.
Observation:
- An 84-year-old male intentionally ingested 0.5-1 teaspoons of potassium gold cyanide.
- The patient developed severe lactic acidosis, multiorgan dysfunction, and expired despite receiving antidotal therapy.
Findings:
- Clinical presentation was consistent with acute cyanide poisoning, yet serum cyanide levels were below the toxic threshold.
- The rapid decline suggests that gold toxicity, in addition to cyanide, may play a significant role in potassium gold cyanide poisoning outcomes.
Implications:
- Management of potassium gold cyanide ingestion requires addressing both cyanide and acute gold toxicity.
- Further research into the specific toxic mechanisms and treatment strategies for potassium gold cyanide is warranted.
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