Ethylene glycol poisoning following ingestion of brake fluid.
A 32-year old male, with a history of depression and previous suicide attempts, was brought to hospital comatose after ingestion of brake fluid. He developed severe metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap, hypotension, seizures and mild renal impairment. He required intensive care treatment for ventilatory and inotropic support. The clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of this unusual poison are discussed.
Tennant
I
I
Department of Surgery, Section of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
Crawford-Sykes
A
A
Ward
L
L
Thesiger
C
C
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000138:Acidosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D019855:Ethylene Glycol / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000139:chemically induced
D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D019855:Ethylene Glycol