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Severe cardiac dysrhythmia from barium acetate ingestion
Pediatric Emergency Care
|March 1, 1985
Summary
A rare case of barium poisoning presented as a life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmia in a 15-year-old girl. Prompt lidocaine treatment improved the condition, highlighting a previously unreported clinical presentation of barium toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cardiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Barium poisoning is an uncommon condition with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Cardiac dysrhythmias are not typically associated with barium toxicity.
Observation:
- A 15-year-old female presented with severe cardiac dysrhythmia following ingestion of an unknown chemical.
- Clinical symptoms included hypertension, vomiting, paresthesias, muscle weakness, and severe hypokalemia (1.8 mmol/L).
Findings:
- Lidocaine therapy successfully managed the cardiac dysrhythmia.
- Chemical analysis confirmed barium ingestion, with urine analysis revealing 130 mg/L of barium.
Implications:
- This case highlights a previously unreported presentation of barium poisoning as a severe cardiac dysrhythmia.
- Early recognition and management are crucial for patients with suspected barium toxicity, even with atypical symptoms.