title: Acute salicylate self-poisoning in 177 consecutive patients treated in ICU.
abstract: The course of 177 consecutive patients with severe salicylate self-poisoning treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) during a period of 15 years is presented. On admission, cerebral depression was observed in 61% respiratory failure was present in 47%, acidosis in 36% and cardiovascular function was impaired in 14%. A mortality rate of 15% was observed, which was proportionally higher in patients more than 40 years old and in patients with delayed diagnosis. Twenty-seven patients died and an autopsy was performed on 26 patients. The main autopsy diagnosis was ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract in 46%, pulmonary oedema in 46%, cerebral oedema in 31% and cerebral haemorrhage in 23%.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012459:Salicylates / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D012459:Salicylates; D020156:Salicylic Acid