title: Cyanide toxicity in the surgical intensive care unit: a case report.
abstract: Hypertension is a widespread entity in the surgical intensive care unit. Not only is the clinical spectrum varied, but the armamentarium available to the clinician is also wide-ranging. Sodium nitroprusside, a potent vasodilator with a short half-life, is often used for hypertensive crisis and to deliberately maintain a low blood in certain clinical conditions. Cyanide toxicity is a known complication of sodium nitroprusside use. Herein is reported a case of probable cyanide toxicity in an elderly trauma patient. The pharmacology of sodium nitroprusside and the pitfalls of making the diagnosis of cyanide toxicity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, and St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, 44501, USA.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Sipe
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Trienski
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003486:Cyanides / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D009599:Nitroprusside