Absence of high anion gap metabolic acidosis in severe ethylene glycol poisoning: a potential effect of simultaneous lithium carbonate ingestion.
Ethylene glycol poisoning is accompanied by a high anion gap metabolic acidosis. We describe a case of severe ethylene glycol poisoning in which severe acidosis was not present. This appears to be due to a beneficial effect exerted by simultaneous ingestion of 80 lithium carbonate tablets, each containing approximately 4 mEq carbonate, with a potential bicarbonate load of 320 mEq. We postulate a protective effect of lithium carbonate due to the bicarbonate generated by this substance.
Leon
M
M
Department of Medicine, New Britain General Hospital, CT.
Graeber
C
C
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000328:Adult; D019855:Ethylene Glycol; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism
D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D019855:Ethylene Glycol