Cyanide poisoning and cardiac disorders: 161 cases.
BACKGROUND
Inhalation of hydrogen cyanide from smoke in structural fires is common, but cardiovascular function in these patients is poorly documented.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to study the cardiac complications of cyanide poisoning in patients who received early administration of a cyanide antidote, hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit; Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany [in the United States, marketed by Meridian Medical Technologies, Bristol, TN]).


METHODS
The medical records of 161 fire survivors with suspected or confirmed cyanide poisoning were reviewed in an open, multicenter, retrospective review of cases from the Emergency Medical Assistance Unit (Service d'Aide Médical d'Urgence) in France.


RESULTS
Cardiac arrest (61/161, 58 asystole, 3 ventricular fibrillation), cardiac rhythm disorders (57/161, 56 supraventricular tachycardia), repolarization disorders (12/161), and intracardiac conduction disorders (5/161) were observed. Of the total 161 patients studied, 26 displayed no cardiac disorder. All patients were given an initial dose of 5 g of hydroxocobalamin. Non-responders received a second dose of 5 g of hydroxocobalamin. Of the patients initially in cardiac arrest, 30 died at the scene, 24 died in hospital, and 5 survived without cardiovascular sequelae. Cardiac disorders improved with increasing doses of hydroxocobalamin, and higher doses of the antidote seem to be associated with a superior outcome in patients with initial cardiac arrest.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac complications are common in cyanide poisoning in fire survivors.
Fortin
Jean-Luc
JL
Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Jean Minjoz University Hospital, Besançon, France.
Desmettre
Thibault
T
Manzon
Cyril
C
Judic-Peureux
Virginie
V
Peugeot-Mortier
Caroline
C
Giocanti
Jean-Pascal
JP
Hachelaf
Mohamed
M
Grangeon
Marie
M
Hostalek
Ulrike
U
Crouzet
Julien
J
Capellier
Gilles
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003486:Cyanides / Q000506:poisoning*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006879:Hydroxocobalamin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015208:Smoke Inhalation Injury / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D000931:Antidotes; D003486:Cyanides; D006879:Hydroxocobalamin