title: Outcome after hydrogen sulphide intoxication.
abstract: Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) intoxication in man is frequently associated with a fatal outcome. In small animal models hydrogen sulphide has demonstrated profound protection against hypoxia. No reports that focus on a potential protective effect in humans have been published.
  
  
  
  The frequency and outcome of a large cohort of hydrogen sulphide intoxications is described.
  
  
  
  From 1980 until 2013, 35 accidents totalling 56 victims occurred of whom at least 24 (43%) survived. Of the 8 patients with documented cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the scene, 6 (75%) survived. In some of these cases with good outcome the exposure time to very high hydrogen sulphide levels before extraction and resuscitation was more than 45min.
  
  
  
  Manure related hydrogen sulphide intoxication is associated with a high mortality, although in some cases, recovery appears to be far more favourable than the initial presentation would suggest. Possibly protection from hypoxic injury due to induction of a suspended animation-like state by hydrogen sulphide may be responsible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eline A Q
authors.initials: EAQ
authors.lastname: Mooyaart
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Egbert L G
authors.initials: ELG
authors.lastname: Gelderman
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Nijsten
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Mobile Medical Team, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Vos
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Mobile Medical Team, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J Manfred
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hirner
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine and National Poison Information Center (NPIC), University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dylan W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: de Lange
authors.affiliation: Surgical Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henri D G
authors.initials: HDG
authors.lastname: Leuvenink
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.m.van.den.bergh@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Walter M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: van den Bergh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000067565:Farmers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000506:poisoning*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008372:Manure; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D058687:Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D008372:Manure; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: Gasotransmitter; Hibernation; Hydrogen sulfide intoxication; Hydrogen sulphide; Hypometabolism; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest