Acute respiratory failure following lithium intoxication. A report of two cases.
Two patients suffering from severe lithium poisoning (blood level greater than 4 mmol/litre) were treated by haemodialysis. Both patients developed delayed respiratory failure, with the characteristics of adult respiratory distress syndrome, at a time when lithium levels had fallen below 2 mmol/litre. We recommend early respiratory support in the treatment of severe lithium intoxication.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
D008094:Lithium