Related Experiment Videos
Systemic toxicity following gasoline aspiration.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|November 1, 1983
Summary
Ingesting petroleum distillates can cause lung injury, but rare cases show non-pulmonary effects like red blood cell breakdown (hemolysis) and organ damage. Early intensive care improves outcomes for aspiration patients.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Aliphatic hydrocarbon ingestion, primarily petroleum distillates, frequently leads to pulmonary aspiration.
- Non-pulmonary toxic effects are infrequently documented despite high ingestion rates.
Observation:
- Two cases of gasoline aspiration/ingestion presented with probable intravascular hemolysis.
- One patient also developed consumptive coagulopathy, acute renal failure, and elevated transaminase enzymes.
Findings:
- Gasoline aspiration can cause intravascular hemolysis, a breakdown of red blood cells within blood vessels.
- Extrapulmonary manifestations include coagulopathy, acute kidney injury, and liver enzyme elevation.
Implications:
- While intensive pulmonary care improves prognosis for petroleum distillate aspiration, recognizing extrapulmonary effects is crucial.
- Documenting these non-pulmonary toxicities aids comprehensive patient management and understanding of hydrocarbon toxicity.