Biomaterial Database

Cyanide overdose: survival with fatal blood concentration without antidotal therapy. 1994

A Saincher, and N Swirsky, and M Tenenbein

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.

Cyanide poisoning is an uncommon emergency department problem. It has a high mortality, and specific antidotal therapy can be lifesaving. We describe a 23-year-old man who ingested potassium cyanide and survived without antidotal therapy. His blood cyanide concentration was 4.65 mg/L, which is within the lethal range. The arterial venous oxygen saturation gradient was considered in the decision regarding antidote administration. Our experience underscores the importance of supportive care.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011190	Potassium Cyanide	A highly poisonous compound that is an inhibitor of many metabolic processes, but has been shown to be an especially potent inhibitor of heme enzymes and hemeproteins. It is used in many industrial processes.	Potassium Cyanide (K(14)CN),Potassium Cyanide (K(C(15)N)),Cyanide, Potassium
D004630	Emergencies	Situations or conditions requiring immediate intervention to avoid serious adverse results.	Emergency
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D062787	Drug Overdose	Accidental or deliberate use of a medication or street drug in excess of normal dosage.	Drug Overdoses,Overdose, Drug,Overdoses, Drug