Critical care toxicology.
Emergency physicians are regularly called on to care for critically poisoned patients. This article reviews the general approach and management of the critically poisoned patient. Specific clinical characteristics are identified that may clue the clinician into a specific toxin class as a diagnosis. Appropriate testing in the poisoned patient is reviewed. Complications of poisoning that may bring a rapid demise of the critically ill poisoned patient are highlighted and the management of those complications is discussed.
Holstege
Christopher P
CP
Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800774, 1222 Jefferson Park Avenue, 4th Floor, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0774, USA. ch2xf@virginia.edu
Dobmeier
Stephen G
SG
Bechtel
Laura K
LK
D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*