Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion PHP with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver
Published on: July 31, 2016
Role of therapeutic plasma exchange in rat killer (yellow phosphorous) poisoning
Krishnamoorthy Radhakrishnan1, Ravindra Prasad Thokala1, Ashwin Anandan1
1Department of Transfusion Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Context:
Yellow phosphorus (YP) 3% is one of the rodenticides available, which is a potent hepatotoxin and it is fatal. Management of YP poisoning is difficult since there is no antidote available; only definitive management is liver transplantation. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) helps the YP poisoning patients by removing the poison or its metabolite or the inflammatory mediators released in the body in response to toxin.
Aims:
To determine the role of TPE in rat killer (YP) poisoning.
Settings And Design:
This was a descriptive period study conducted from November 2018 to September 2020.
Subjects And Methods:
Sixteen consecutive YP poisoning patients were included in the study (n = 16). A total of 48 sessions of TPE were carried out. Liver function tests such as serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, SGPT, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin as well as coagulation profile such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio were analyzed at the time of admission, after each TPE session, and at the time of discharge.
Statistical Analysis Used:
The results were recorded, and it was analyzed statistically by SPSS version 17.
Results:
Liver function tests improved significantly from the time of admission and after each TPE and at the time of discharge (P < 0.05). Coagulation profile improved statistically (P < 0.05). Thirteen patients were improved in their clinical status, and three patients left the hospital citing personal reasons.
Conclusions:
TPE could potentially bridge the gap between medical management and liver transplantation in cases of YP poisoning.
Related Concept Videos
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care

