title: [Exitus letalis caused by liquid nitrogen].
abstract: A 24-year old student died from asphyxiation while filling flasks with liquid nitrogen. The upper and lower extremities and the back were frozen. The face, ears and neck were livid with a horizontal line of demarcation. A few wide ventricular complexes were seen in the initial ECG, followed by asystole. The patient's trachea was intubated, his lungs ventilated with 100% oxygen and CPR initiated. The site of larynx and pharynx were without pathological findings. 250 ml of a crystalloid solution were infused into the external jugular vein. It was not possible to measure the body temperature. Venous blood gas analysis showed a metabolic acidosis and hyperkaliaemia. CPR was terminated after 90 minutes. Own protection is most important for the rescue team if a nitrogen atmosphere is expected.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum Anästhesiologie, Rettungs- und Intensivmedizin, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saur
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kazmaier
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Wighton
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Panzer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kettler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005627:Frostbite / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000473:pathology; D012151:Resuscitation
chemical_list: D009584:Nitrogen