[Haemodialysis of acute renal poisoning (author's transl)]

A 16-year-old laboratory technician ingested 30 g of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) in a suicidal attempt. Within a short time severe cyanosis and distressing dyspnoea developed. The conservative therapeutic approach with redox substances showed little success. However, haemodialysis resulted in rapid improvement of all signs. After three hours of dialysis the patient was symptom-free and could be discharged after two days without damage due to the intoxication. Additional experimental investigations showed NaNO2 to be easily dialysable. There is, however, no binding to active charcoal.