Salicylate removal by charcoal haemoperfusion in experimental intoxication in dogs:an assessment of efficacy and safety

Antidotes for childhood toxidromes

Background

Poisoning causes significant morbidity and sometimes mortality in children worldwide. The clinical skill of toxidrome recognition followed by the timely administration of an antidote specific for the poison is essential for the management of children with suspected poisoning. This is a narrative review on antidotes for toxidromes in paediatric practice.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on PubMed with the keywords “antidote”, “poisoning”, “intoxication”, “children” and “pediatric”. The search was customized by applying the appropriate filters (species: humans; age: birth to 18 years) to obtain the most relevant articles for this review article.

Results

Toxidrome recognition may offer a rapid guide to possible toxicology diagnosis such that the specific antidote can be administered in a timely manner. This article summarizes toxidromes and their respective antidotes in paediatric poisoning, with an emphasis on the symptomatology and source of exposure. The antidote and specific management for each toxidrome are discussed. Antidotes are only available for a limited number of poisons responsible for intoxication. Antidotes for common poisonings include N-acetyl cysteine for paracetamol and sodium thiosulphate for poisoning by cyanide.

Conclusion

Poisoning is a common cause of paediatric injury. Physicians should be familiar with the recognition of common toxidromes and promptly use specific antidotes for the management of childhood toxidromes.

Biocompatibility of haemoperfusion

To evaluate the influence of haemoperfusion on haemodynamics, complement system, leucocyte and thrombocyte concentration, a controlled study was performed in three groups of five dogs each. During the first 30 min of haemoperfusion with columns containing cellulose-coated activated charcoal, a significant decrease of mean aortic pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume was observed, while heart rate and total systemic resistance decreased. A comparable phenomenon, although to a much lesser extent, was observed during perfusion using columns containing polystyrene resin. Perfusion with columns containing cellulose-coated activated charcoal caused a significant decrease in total haemolytic complement, indicating activation of the complement system. A significant decrease in the leucocyte and thrombocyte concentration due to sequestration of granulocytes and thrombocytes in the columns was observed during the first 30 min of perfusion in both groups. Pulmonary leucostasis, without decrease of arterial oxygen tension, occurred during perfusion with columns containing cellulose-coated activated charcoal. Both the simultaneous occurrence and the transient character of the haemodynamic changes, complement activation and sequestration of granulocytes and thrombocytes in the perfusion column suggest a relationship between these various changes. The results stress the importance of close monitoring of the haemodynamic parameters of the intoxicated patient, particularly during the early phase of haemoperfusion.

The influence of haemoperfusion on white cells, immunoglobulin concentrations and the complement system in the treatment of intoxications

The influence of haemoperfusion on some immunological parameters was investigated in a pilot study involving two groups of three patients each. In columns containing cellulose-coated activated charcoal or polystyrene resin a temporary reduction of the total white cell number, particularly involving the segmented and band neutrophils, was demonstrated. Cellulose-coated activated charcoal and, to a lesser extent, polystyrene resin induced activation of the complement system using C3d as a parameter. An appreciable decrease of immunoglobulin or complement levels could not be demonstrated in either column.

The influence of haemoperfusion on haemostasis and cellular constituents of the blood in the treatment of intoxications: a comparative study of three types of columns (Haemocol, Amberlite XAD-4, Gambro Adsorba 300 C)

The influence of haemoperfusion on blood-coagulation and cellular constituents of the blood was studied in three groups of patients. In four patients haemoperfusion was performed using a column containing acrylic-hydrogel coated activated charcoal (Haemocol), in five patients with a column containing uncoated XAD-4 nonionic polystyrene resin (Amberlite) and in five patients with a column containing cellulose coated activated charcoal (Gambro Adsorba 300 C). Perfusion was performed during 4 h with a flow of 300 ml/min. Before the start, 2 h after the start, at the end and 2 h after the end of the perfusion the haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, leucocyte number, differential white cell count, thrombocyte number and heparin concentration were measured. Before the start and 2 h after the end prothrombin time, thrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, reptilase time, fibrinogen, prothrombin, factors V, VII, X, antithrombin III, bleeding time (Ivy), ethanol gelation test, fibrin split products and plasminogen were measured. The following conclusions can be drawn: haemoperfusion per se causes haemodilution; polystyrene resin causes in some patients a temporary reduction of the leucocyte number during haemoperfusion; polystyrene resin causes a significant reduction of thrombocyte number compared to coated activated charcoal; polystyrene resin and to a lesser extent acrylic-hydrogel-coated activated charcoal causes in some patients a prolongation of bleeding time probably by inducing alteration of thrombocyte function caused by release; polystyrene resin and probably also acrylic-hydrogel-coated activated charcoal causes an increased fibrinolytic activity without signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Salicylate intoxication in family practice

Abuse of readily available, widely advertised drugs like the salicylates often challenges the family physician. But self-medication by the patient may be only part of the problem. This case dramatizes the hazards of "knee jerk" therapeutics and the critical importance of the three C's of primary care.

Phenylbutazone self-poisoning treated by charcoal haemoperfusion

A case is presented of a patient who ingested a potentially fatal dose of phenylbutazone. Her clinical condition deteriorated despite adequate supportive therapy and the use of charcoal haemoperfusion proved life-saving.