Severe Amlodipine Toxicity: A Case Rescued with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Hemoadsorption Therapy for Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose at a Tertiary-level Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study

Objective

To describe the burden of calcium channel blocker (CCB) overdose at a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU).

Design and setting

Retrospective study of patients admitted to the ICU with CCB overdose from 2020 to 2022.

Participants

Adult participants with clinically confirmed CCB overdose.

Main outcome

Admission frequency, management strategies, and patient outcomes.

Results

A total of 1719 ICU admissions over the study period, 24 (1.4%) had CCB overdose with a case fatality rate of 12.5% (3/24). Interventions included mechanical ventilation (MV) (71%), vasopressors (92%), high-dose insulin euglycemic therapy (HIET) (71%), calcium (42%), methylene blue (4%), and fluid therapy (100%). Thirteen patients (54%) received hemoadsorption therapy (HA), and eleven received standard of care (SoC) based on current guidelines. The resin hemoadsorption group had a higher SAPS II score (p = 0.002), and a greater total maximal vasopressor dose (p = 0.001) than SoC group. The HA group also had a lower admission mean arterial pressure (MAP), (p = 0.014), a greater MAP increase at 48 hours (p = 0.044), and a longer ICU length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.004) compared to the SoC group. There was one death in the HA group (7.7%) and two in the SoC group (18.2%).

Conclusion

Calcium channel blocker overdose is an important and life-threatening cause of toxicology admissions in the ICU. Modern resin HA may contribute to improved hemodynamic stability providing a safe and important rescue therapy in cases with refractory shock. Well-designed studies are required to confirm its role in enhancing drug clearance thereby improving the hemodynamic state and clinical outcomes.

How to cite this article

Omar S, Shukla V, Khan AB, Dangor Z. Hemoadsorption Therapy for Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose at a Tertiary-level Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(2):130-136.

Severe amlodipine toxicity: A medical dilemma managed with therapeutic plasma exchange

Amlodipine poisoning is a nightmare for treating clinicians because of the intractable hypotension and bradycardia induced by the drug, which requires a balanced treatment algorithm. We encountered a case of severe Amlodipine toxicity (450 mg) who presented with complaints of nausea, multiple episodes of vomiting, and chest discomfort. On arrival at the EMD, the patient had significant hypotension (80/46 mmHg), bradycardia (40 beats/min), and a fall in oxygen saturation (75 %). He was symptomatically managed with inotropes, IV calcium, IV fluids, and oxygen supplementation. We decided to go forward with Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) in an attempt to remove the inciting agent. Two sessions of TPE were performed and the patient showed significant improvement post-procedure which led to the discharge of the patient within 10 days of admission. This case report highlights the noteworthiness of TPE in treating significantly high doses of drug poisoning.

Acute High-Output Heart Failure with Pulmonary Hypertension and Severe Liver Injury Caused by Amlodipine Poisoning: A Case Report

Acute high-output heart failure (HOHF) with pulmonary hypertension and liver injury caused by amlodipine poisoning is very rare. We report a 52-year-old woman who suffered from severe shock after an overdose of amlodipine. Hemodynamic monitoring showed that while her left ventricular systolic function and cardiac output were elevated, her systemic vascular resistance decreased significantly. At the same time, the size of her right heart, her central venous pressure, and the oxygen saturation of her central venous circulation all increased abnormally. The patient's circulatory function and right ventricular dysfunction gradually improved after large doses of vasopressors and detoxification measures. However, her bilirubin and transaminase levels increased significantly on hospital day 6, with a CT scan showing patchy, low-density areas in her liver along with ascites. After liver protective treatment and plasma exchange, the patient's liver function gradually recovered. A CT scan 4 months later showed all her liver abnormalities, including ascites, had resolved. The common etiologies of HOHF were excluded in this case, and significantly reduced systemic vascular resistance caused by amlodipine overdose was thought to be the primary pathophysiological basis of HOHF. The significant increase in venous return and pulmonary blood flow is considered to be the main mechanism of right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Hypoxic hepatitis caused by a combination of hepatic congestion and distributive shock may be the most important factors causing liver injury in this patient. Whether amlodipine has other mechanisms leading to HOHF and pulmonary hypertension needs to be further studied. Considering the significant increase of right heart preload, aggressive fluid resuscitation should be done very cautiously in patients with HOHF and shock secondary to amlodipine overdose.

Amlodipine Overdose in a Transgender Woman: A Case Study

Calcium channel blockers are a major cause of cardiovascular toxicity. The clinical spectrum of these patients is very variable and there is no consensus on the dose required for toxicity. We present a case of a 43-year-old transgender woman who presented with hypotension and tachycardia owing to drug overdose that was later confirmed to be amlodipine. Given the catastrophic cascade of events involved with such toxicities, it is important to highlight amlodipine as one of the causes of drug overdose that can be overlooked.

Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity: A Practical Approach

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely prescribed medications for various clinical indications in adults and children. They are available in both immediate and long-acting formulations and are generally classified into dihydropyridines and nondihydropyridines, with nondihydropyridines having more cardioselectivity. CCB toxicity is common given the widespread use which leads to serious adverse clinical outcomes, especially in children. Severe CCB toxicities may present with life-threatening bradycardia, hypotension, hyperglycemia, and renal insufficiency. Dihydropyridine toxicity, however, may present with reflex tachycardia instead of bradycardia. Initial patient evaluation and assessment are crucial to identify the severity of CCB toxicity and design the best management strategy. There are different strategies to overcome CCB toxicity that requires precise dosing and close monitoring in various patient populations. These strategies may include large volumes of IV fluids, calcium salts, high insulin euglycemia therapy (HIET), and vasopressors. We hereby summarize the evidence behind the management of CCB toxicity and present a practical guide for clinicians to overcome this common drug toxicity.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in Refractory Multi-organ Failure by 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Intoxication (“Ecstasy”)

The substance known as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) that is commonly named ecstasy is a designer drug used for recreation. The intoxication for MDMA could generate hyperthermia, hepatotoxicity, acute renal failure, cardiovascular toxicity, hyponatremia, serotonin syndrome, coma, and, eventually could lead to, death. There is no antidote available, that is why the treatment is symptomatic and of advanced vital support until the resolution of the case. A case is presented of an adult with multi-organ failure secondary to intoxication for MDMA in whom it was decided to initiate support of oxygenation with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to recovery, with good results.