title: Freon inhalational abuse presenting with ventricular fibrillation.
abstract: Inhalation of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons may produce life-threatening cardiac and neurological toxicity. A 15-year-old boy developed ventricular fibrillation immediately after intentional inhalation of a fluorinated hydrocarbon from an automobile air conditioner recharge unit. After the use of intravenous bretylium, a hemodynamically stable sinus tachycardia was restored. Aspiration pneumonitis and rhabdomyolysis complicated his hospital course before complete neurological recovery. The mechanism and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias after volatile fluorinated hydrocarbon inhalation are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stremski
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eljaiek
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Aufderheide
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000335:Aerosol Propellants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane