title: Acute self-poisoning with tricyclic antidepressants in 295 consecutive patients treated in an ICU.
abstract: Clinical findings on admission to hospital and outcome in 295 consecutive patients with severe tricyclic antidepressant self-poisoning treated in an ICU are presented. Cerebral depression was observed in 92%, convulsions in 23% and respiratory failure was present in 72%. Cardiovascular function was impaired in 44% and an abnormal ECG was found in 57%. Cardiac arrest was treated in 14 patients (6%) of whom seven were resuscitated. The mortality rate was 2%. All patients were artificially ventilated. A beneficial effect of respiratory alkalosis on cardiac arrhythmias is supported.
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000506:poisoning*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D012769:Shock / Q000139:chemically induced; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic