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Quintanilla C, Panthappattu J, Hosseini D, Omidvari K. Filling In the Gaps: Ethylene Glycol Poisoning Presenting With Isolated Lactate and Osmolar Gaps. Cureus 2024; 16:e54749. [PMID: 38523999 PMCID: PMC10961005 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Ethylene glycol (EG) is an organic compound used in antifreeze. In 2020 alone, there were 5,277 EG exposures, with only 617 reported as intentional ingestions. Therefore, encountering EG toxicity is rare; however, it is essential to identify it promptly based on a focused history, exam, and rapid identification of commonly associated EG-induced metabolic derangements. If the diagnosis is not made within 12 hours of ingestion or exposure, severe morbidity and mortality can occur. Previous reports of EG poisoning have occurred in the setting of a lactate gap (LG) and osmolar gap (OG); however, they also had commonly associated findings of EG toxicity such as high anion gap acidosis (HAGMA), acute kidney injury (AKI), hypocalcemia, calcium oxalate stones, and suggestive histories of EG ingestion. We present a case of a 57-year-old male who presented from home for slurred speech and gait imbalance. He was intubated for airway protection due to obtundation. Labs only revealed the presence of both LG and OG, non-anion gap acidosis (NAGMA), and an EG level of 112 mg/dL three days after admission. Hemodialysis (HD) was initiated solely based on these findings within eight hours of admission, and he was subsequently able to be extubated without developing an acute or chronic cardio-pulmonary or renal injury. The patient's partner reported to the care team that they found multiple empty bottles of rum and whisky, an empty anti-freeze bottle, and a Sprite bottle with a light blue substance that was nearly empty in their basement. After extubation, the patient admitted to ingesting the antifreeze with the intention of self-harm. He recovered without complication and was transferred to the inpatient psychiatric unit to manage his depression and suicidality further. The early diagnosis and treatment of EG poisoning is critical to prevent severe morbidity and mortality occurring only 12 hours after ingestion. Therefore, reliance on prompt recognition of common laboratory findings, understanding of EG toxicity-specific signs and symptoms, and awareness of other rapid diagnostic tools for EG are essential in clinching the diagnosis. This case highlights the potential atypical presentations of EG toxicity, helpful diagnostic strategies, and the importance of avoiding anchoring bias when commonly associated disease processes are absent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caden Quintanilla
- Internal Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, USA
| | | | - Davood Hosseini
- Internal Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, USA
| | - Karan Omidvari
- Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, USA
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Filip AB, Farnsworth CW, Mullins ME, Crews BO, Kraut JA. Accuracy of a Glycerol Dehydrogenase Assay for Ethylene Glycol Detection. J Med Toxicol 2023; 19:362-367. [PMID: 37695470 PMCID: PMC10522546 DOI: 10.1007/s13181-023-00967-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ethylene glycol (EG) is a frequently considered toxicant in poisoned patients. Definitive diagnosis relies on gas chromatography (GC), but this is unavailable at most hospitals. A glycerol dehydrogenase (GDH)-based assay rapidly detects EG. A rapid turnaround time and wide availability of necessary instrumentation suggest this method could facilitate the rapid detection of EG. METHODS This is a prospective, observational analysis of banked, remnant serum samples submitted to the laboratory of a large, multi-hospital healthcare system. Samples were submitted over a 12-month period for the explicit purpose of testing for suspected EG ingestion. All samples underwent GC and the GDH-based assay. RESULTS Of the 118 analyzed samples, 88 had no EG detected by GC, and 30 were "positive." At the manufacturer's threshold of 6 mg/dL EG, there was 100% (95%CI; 88.7-100) positive percent agreement (PPA) and 98% (92.1-99.6) negative percent agreement (NPA). Adjusted to a threshold of 9 mg/dL, both the PPA and NPA were 100%. Deming regression of the observed concentrations revealed a slope of 1.16 (1.01 to 1.32) and intercept of -5.3 (-8.9 to -1.7). CONCLUSIONS The GDH assay provides a sensitive and specific method for the detection and quantification of EG that is comparable to a GC-based method. More widespread use of this rapid, inexpensive assay could improve the care of patients with suspected toxic alcohol exposure. Further study is needed to evaluate the test performance in real-time patient treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari B Filip
- Arkansas Poison and Drug Information Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Christopher W Farnsworth
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael E Mullins
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bridgit O Crews
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Kraut
- Medical and Research Services, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA; UCLA Membrane Biology Laboratory, Division of Nephrology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Ghannoum M, Gosselin S, Hoffman RS, Lavergne V, Mégarbane B, Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Rif M, Kallab S, Bird S, Wood DM, Roberts DM, Anseeuw K, Berling I, Bouchard J, Bunchman TE, Calello DP, Chin PK, Doi K, Galvao T, Goldfarb DS, Hoegberg LCG, Kebede S, Kielstein JT, Lewington A, Li Y, Macedo EM, MacLaren R, Mowry JB, Nolin TD, Ostermann M, Peng A, Roy JP, Shepherd G, Vijayan A, Walsh SJ, Wong A, Yates C. Extracorporeal treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning: systematic review and recommendations from the EXTRIP workgroup. Crit Care 2023; 27:56. [PMID: 36765419 PMCID: PMC9921105 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-022-04227-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethylene glycol (EG) is metabolized into glycolate and oxalate and may cause metabolic acidemia, neurotoxicity, acute kidney injury (AKI), and death. Historically, treatment of EG toxicity included supportive care, correction of acid-base disturbances and antidotes (ethanol or fomepizole), and extracorporeal treatments (ECTRs), such as hemodialysis. With the wider availability of fomepizole, the indications for ECTRs in EG poisoning are debated. We conducted systematic reviews of the literature following published EXTRIP methods to determine the utility of ECTRs in the management of EG toxicity. The quality of the evidence and the strength of recommendations, either strong ("we recommend") or weak/conditional ("we suggest"), were graded according to the GRADE approach. A total of 226 articles met inclusion criteria. EG was assessed as dialyzable by intermittent hemodialysis (level of evidence = B) as was glycolate (Level of evidence = C). Clinical data were available for analysis on 446 patients, in whom overall mortality was 18.7%. In the subgroup of patients with a glycolate concentration ≤ 12 mmol/L (or anion gap ≤ 28 mmol/L), mortality was 3.6%; in this subgroup, outcomes in patients receiving ECTR were not better than in those who did not receive ECTR. The EXTRIP workgroup made the following recommendations for the use of ECTR in addition to supportive care over supportive care alone in the management of EG poisoning (very low quality of evidence for all recommendations): i) Suggest ECTR if fomepizole is used and EG concentration > 50 mmol/L OR osmol gap > 50; or ii) Recommend ECTR if ethanol is used and EG concentration > 50 mmol/L OR osmol gap > 50; or iii) Recommend ECTR if glycolate concentration is > 12 mmol/L or anion gap > 27 mmol/L; or iv) Suggest ECTR if glycolate concentration 8-12 mmol/L or anion gap 23-27 mmol/L; or v) Recommend ECTR if there are severe clinical features (coma, seizures, or AKI). In most settings, the workgroup recommends using intermittent hemodialysis over other ECTRs. If intermittent hemodialysis is not available, CKRT is recommended over other types of ECTR. Cessation of ECTR is recommended once the anion gap is < 18 mmol/L or suggested if EG concentration is < 4 mmol/L. The dosage of antidotes (fomepizole or ethanol) needs to be adjusted during ECTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Ghannoum
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Research Center, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada ,grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Nephrology Division, NYU Langone Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY USA ,grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie Gosselin
- grid.420748.d0000 0000 8994 4657Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CISSS) de la Montérégie-Centre Emergency Department, Hôpital Charles-Lemoyne, Greenfield Park, QC Canada ,grid.86715.3d0000 0000 9064 6198Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada ,Centre Antipoison du Québec, Quebec, QC Canada
| | - Robert S. Hoffman
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Division of Medical Toxicology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Valery Lavergne
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Research Center, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Bruno Mégarbane
- grid.411296.90000 0000 9725 279XDepartment of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam
- grid.411600.2Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,grid.411600.2Department of Clinical Toxicology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Siba Kallab
- grid.411323.60000 0001 2324 5973Department of Internal Medicine-Division of Nephrology, Lebanese American University - School of Medicine, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Steven Bird
- Department of Emergency Medicine, U Mass Memorial Health, U Mass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA USA
| | - David M. Wood
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Darren M. Roberts
- grid.430417.50000 0004 0640 6474New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW Australia ,grid.413249.90000 0004 0385 0051Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia
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Roberts DM, Hoffman RS, Brent J, Lavergne V, Hovda KE, Porter WH, McMartin KE, Ghannoum M. The serum glycolate concentration: its prognostic value and its correlation to surrogate markers in ethylene glycol exposures. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2022; 60:798-807. [PMID: 35323087 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2049811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Ethylene glycol poisoning manifests as metabolic acidemia, acute kidney injury and death. The diagnosis and treatment depend on history and biochemical tests. Glycolate is a key toxic metabolite that impacts prognosis, but assay results are not widely available in a clinically useful timeframe. We quantitated the impact of serum glycolate concentration for prognostication and evaluated whether more readily available biochemical tests are acceptable surrogates for the glycolate concentration. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to 1) assess the prognostic value of the initial glycolate concentration on the occurrence of AKI or mortality in patients with ethylene glycol exposure (prognostic study); 2) identify surrogate markers that correlate best with glycolate concentrations (surrogate study). METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed using Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, conference proceedings and reference lists. Human studies reporting measured glycolate concentrations were eligible. Glycolate concentrations were related to categorical clinical outcomes (acute kidney injury, mortality), and correlated with continuous surrogate biochemical measurements (anion gap, base excess, bicarbonate concentration and pH). Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to calculate the positive predictive values and the negative predictive values of the threshold glycolate concentrations that predict acute kidney injury and mortality. Further, glycolate concentrations corresponding to 100% negative predictive value for mortality and 95% negative predictive value for acute kidney injury were determined. RESULTS Of 1,531 articles identified, 655 were potentially eligible and 32 were included, reflecting 137 cases from 133 patients for the prognostic study and 154 cases from 150 patients for the surrogate study. The median glycolate concentration was 11.2 mmol/L (85.1 mg/dL, range 0-38.0 mmol/L, 0-288.8 mg/dL), 93% of patients were treated with antidotes, 80% received extracorporeal treatments, 49% developed acute kidney injury and 13% died. The glycolate concentration best predicting acute kidney injury was 12.9 mmol/L (98.0 mg/dL, sensitivity 78.5%, specificity 88.1%, positive predictive value 86.4%, negative predictive value 80.9%). The glycolate concentration threshold for a 95% negative predictive value for acute kidney injury was 6.6 mmol/L (50.2 mg/dL, sensitivity 96.9%, specificity 62.7%). The glycolate concentration best predicting mortality was 19.6 mmol/L (149.0 mg/dL, sensitivity 61.1%, specificity 81.4%, positive predictive value 33.3%, negative predictive value 93.2%). The glycolate concentration threshold for a 100% negative predictive value for mortality was 8.3 mmol/L (63.1 mg/dL, sensitivity 100.0%, specificity 35.6%). The glycolate concentration correlated best with the anion gap (R2 = 0.73), followed by bicarbonate (R2 = 0.57), pH (R2 = 0.50) and then base excess (R2 = 0.25), while there was no correlation between the glycolate and ethylene glycol concentration (R2 = 0.00). These data can assist clinicians in planning treatments such as extracorporeal treatments and prognostication. Potentially, they may also provide some reassurance regarding when extracorporeal treatments can be delayed while awaiting the results of further testing in patients in whom ethylene glycol poisoning is suspected but not yet confirmed. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review demonstrates that the glycolate concentration predicts mortality (unlikely if <8 mmol/L [61 mg/dL]). The anion gap is a reasonable surrogate measurement for glycolate concentration in the context of ethylene glycol poisoning. The findings are mainly based on published retrospective data which have various limitations. Further prospective validation studies are of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M Roberts
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Drug Health Clinical Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert S Hoffman
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Brent
- Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado, School of Medicine and Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Valéry Lavergne
- Research Center, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Knut Erik Hovda
- The Norwegian CBRNE Centre of Medicine, Department of Acute Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - William H Porter
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Marc Ghannoum
- Research Center, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Salomonsen M, Hardersen R, Carlsson M, Nielsen EW. [A man in his 70s found confused on his training ride]. TIDSSKRIFT FOR DEN NORSKE LEGEFORENING 2014; 133:2483-7. [PMID: 24326499 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.13.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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McQuade DJ, Dargan PI, Wood DM. Challenges in the diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning. Ann Clin Biochem 2013; 51:167-78. [DOI: 10.1177/0004563213506697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ethylene glycol poisoning, while uncommon, is clinically significant due to the associated risk of severe morbidity or lethality and it continues to occur in many countries around the world. The clinical presentation of ethylene glycol toxicity, while classically described in three phases, varies widely and when combined with the range of differential diagnoses that must be considered makes diagnosis challenging. Early and accurate detection is important in these patients, however, as there is a need to start antidotal treatment early to prevent serious harm. In this article, we will review the literature and provide guidance regarding the diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning. While gas chromatography is the gold standard, the usefulness of this test is hampered by delays in access due to availability. Consequently, there are several surrogate markers that can give an indication of ethylene glycol exposure but these must be interpreted with caution and within the clinical context. An in-depth review of these tests, particularly the detection of a raised osmolar gap or an raised anion gap acidosis, will form the main focus of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J McQuade
- Emergency Department, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, London, UK
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, London, UK
| | - Paul I Dargan
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, London, UK
- King’s College London, London, UK
| | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, London, UK
- King’s College London, London, UK
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Stuckey JA, Ramirez CJ, Berent LM, Kuroki K. Pathology in practice: ethylene glycol toxicosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012; 241:1301-3. [PMID: 23113521 DOI: 10.2460/javma.241.10.1301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Ashley Stuckey
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Acute oxalate nephropathy caused by ethylene glycol poisoning. Kidney Res Clin Pract 2012; 31:249-52. [PMID: 26889430 PMCID: PMC4716116 DOI: 10.1016/j.krcp.2012.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethylene glycol (EG) is a sweet-tasting, odorless organic solvent found in many agents, such as anti-freeze. EG is composed of four organic acids: glycoaldehyde, glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid and oxalic acid in vivo. These metabolites are cellular toxins that can cause cardio-pulmonary failure, life-threatening metabolic acidosis, central nervous system depression, and kidney injury. Oxalic acid is the end product of EG, which can precipitate to crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate in the tubular lumen and has been linked to acute kidney injury. We report a case of EG-induced oxalate nephropathy, with the diagnosis confirmed by kidney biopsy, which showed acute tubular injury of the kidneys with extensive intracellular and intraluminal calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal depositions.
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Samarneh MM, Shtaynberg N, Goldman M, Epstein E, Kleiner M, El-Sayegh S. Severe oxalosis with systemic manifestations. J Clin Med Res 2012; 4:56-60. [PMID: 22383929 PMCID: PMC3279503 DOI: 10.4021/jocmr525w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Ethylene glycol toxicity can have various clinical presentations with different organ system involvements. These presentations are independent of the level of toxicity. We describe a 31 years old male who presented with ethylene glycol toxicity manifesting as anuric renal failure who subsequently developed neurological sequela of its toxicity. Ethylene glycol is known to be metabolized to various metabolites and is ultimately converted to oxalate which results in crystal deposition the renal parenchyma causing renal failure. Oxalate deposition can occur in various organs including the nervous system as seen in our patient. The majority of patients do not recover from severe oxalosis despite the supportive care of hemodialysis in removing the parent compounds. Despite severe oxalosis, our patient was fortunate enough to be left with minimal neurological sequelae, and eventually was able to cease hemodialysis treatments. KEYWORDS Ethylene glycol; Oxalate; Oxalosis; Glyoxylic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majed Mark Samarneh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY 10305, USA
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Mégarbane B. Treatment of patients with ethylene glycol or methanol poisoning: focus on fomepizole. Open Access Emerg Med 2010; 2:67-75. [PMID: 27147840 PMCID: PMC4806829 DOI: 10.2147/oaem.s5346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethylene glycol (EG) and methanol are responsible for life-threatening poisonings. Fomepizole, a potent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) inhibitor, is an efficient and safe antidote that prevents or reduces toxic EG and methanol metabolism. Although no study has compared its efficacy with ethanol, fomepizole is recommended as a first-line antidote. Treatment should be started as soon as possible, based on history and initial findings including anion gap metabolic acidosis, while awaiting measurement of alcohol concentration. Administration is easy (15 mg/kg-loading dose, either intravenously or orally, independent of alcohol concentration, followed by intermittent 10 mg/kg-doses every 12 hours until alcohol concentrations are <30 mg/dL). There is no need to monitor fomepizole concentrations. Administered early, fomepizole prevents EG-related renal failure and methanol-related visual and neurological injuries. When administered prior to the onset of significant acidosis or organ injury, fomepizole may obviate the need for hemodialysis. When dialysis is indicated, 1 mg/kg/h-continuous infusion should be provided to compensate for its elimination. Side-effects are rarely serious and with a lower occurrence than ethanol. Fomepizole is contraindicated in case of allergy to pyrazoles. It is both efficacious and safe in the pediatric population, but is not recommended during pregnancy. In conclusion, fomepizole is an effective and safe first-line antidote for EG and methanol intoxications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mégarbane
- Réanimation Médicale et Toxicologique, Hôpital Lariboisière and Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France
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Abstract
Metabolic acidosis may occasionally develop in the course of treatment with drugs used in everyday clinical practice, as well as with the exposure to certain chemicals. Drug-induced metabolic acidosis, although usually mild, may well be life-threatening, as in cases of lactic acidosis complicating antiretroviral therapy or treatment with biguanides. Therefore, a detailed medical history, with special attention to the recent use of culprit medications, is essential in patients with acid-base derangements. Effective clinical management can be handled through awareness of the adverse effect of certain pharmaceutical compounds on the acid-base status. In this review, we evaluate relevant literature with regard to metabolic acidosis associated with specific drug treatment, and discuss the clinical setting and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. These mechanisms involve renal inability to excrete the dietary H+ load (including types I and IV renal tubular acidoses), metabolic acidosis owing to increased H+ load (including lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, ingestion of various substances, administration of hyperalimentation solutions and massive rhabdomyolysis) and metabolic acidosis due to HCO3- loss (including gastrointestinal loss and type II renal tubular acidosis). Determinations of arterial blood gases, the serum anion gap and, in some circumstances, the serum osmolar gap are helpful in delineating the pathogenesis of the acid-base disorder. In all cases of drug-related metabolic acidosis, discontinuation of the culprit medications and avoidance of readministration is advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Liamis
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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