Aluminium phosphide poisoning with severe cardiac dysfunction and the role of digoxin

The Role of Echocardiographic Findings in Estimating Survival Probability of Intensive Care Unit Admitted Aluminum Phosphide Poisoned Patients

INTRODUCTION

Cardiotoxicity represents the primary cause of death in acute aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning. Prompt supportive care can improve patient survival. This study assessed the role of echocardiography in estimating the survival probability of AlP-poisoned patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of symptomatic acute AlP poisoned patients was conducted between September 2019 and December 2020. Patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, To be included, patient evaluation needed to include electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic studies. The statistical analysis assessed the association between patient survival and relevant factors. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients met inclusion criteria. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 38.1% of survivors and 82.6% of non-survivors (p < 0.001). Survivors had a higher mean left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (50.86 ± 6.30% vs. 26.52 ± 7.64%, respectively, p < 0.001) and a lower percentage of global LV hypokinesia (4.8% vs. 94.2%, p < 0.001). The mean survival time was higher among patients with LVEF ≥ 50% than those with LVEF = 41-49% and ≤ 40% (p = 0.014 and 0.001, respectively). The hazard of death was 4.42 and 5.40 times greater in patients with LVEF ≤ 40% or with global LV hypokinesia, respectively. Regression revealed that the global LV hypokinesia, ECG abnormalities, and decreased LVEF and oxygen saturation were significantly associated with the risk of death (hazard ratios: 4.382, 3.348, 0.957, and 0.971, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Echocardiography represents a valuable diagnostic tool to assess cardiac function in acute AlP poisoning. Both LVEF and global LV hypokinesia significantly impact the survival of AlP-poisoned patients. Echocardiography was superior to ECG changes in terms of accuracy for the prediction of mortality.

Acute Heart Failure Due to Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is a pesticide agent and infrequent culprit of accidental poisoning. We present a case of severe reversible cardiomyopathy and left ventricular apical thrombus in a patient who worked as an exterminator and had ALP poisoning.

Management of Acute Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning: Has Anything Changed?

Due to its easy availability, rapid and severe toxicity, and no specific antidote, aluminum phosphide has emerged as a lethal toxin, commonly used for suicidal intent in agricultural communities. Despite various advances in medicine, this compound's toxicity is poorly understood, and it still has a very high case fatality rate with no definitive treatment options available. This review aims to understand the mechanism of toxicity, clinical toxidrome of acute aluminum phosphide poisoning, and the available therapeutic options, including recent advances. A literature review was performed searching PubMed, EMBASE Ovid, and Cochrane Library, using the following search items: ("aluminum phosphide poisoning" OR "aluminum phosphide poisoning toxicity" OR "aluminum phosphide ingestion") AND ("management" OR "therapy" OR "treatment"). Selected articles were discussed amongst all the authors to shape this review. High case fatality rate and lack of any specific antidote are persisting challenges. Therapeutic measures need to be implemented from all fronts - reducing easy access to the poison, developing less toxic alternatives for use as a pesticide, and more studies directed at developing an effective reversal agent for phosphine. The advent of promising agents like glucose-insulin-potassium infusion and lipid emulsion is a new ray of hope in the complete recovery in this fatal poisoning. The need of the hour is to find an agent that rapidly and effectively reverses aluminum phosphide's toxic effects. Large multicenter controlled trials are required to establish the role of glucose-insulin-potassium and lipid emulsion.

Inhalational Wheat-pill Poisoning: A Household Chemical Warfare Agent

Wheat pill and its active ingredient aluminum phosphide is one of the emerging causes of poisoning. The areas mainly hit are the ones where agriculture is the leading industry. The mechanism of action involves phosphine gas, which is released when the pill comes in contact with moisture or stomach acid; the resulting free radicals damage mitochondria. The cardiovascular system is the most severely hit with various presentations, including cardiac failure, arrhythmias, and eventually shock. We discuss a case of a middle-aged woman who suffered from inhalational poisoning from wheat pill while she was working in unventilated grain storage.

Butyrylcholinesterase level in poisoned patients with phosphide compounds

BACKGROUND

Metal phosphides are widely used as a rodenticide and insecticide and poisoning with these substances has a very high mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the butyrylcholinesterase (BuCh) level in poisoning with metal phosphides.

METHODS

In this case series study, 60 poisoned patients with zinc phosphide (ZnP) and aluminum phosphide (ALP) who was admitted to poisoning ward in Hamadan, Iran, enrolled in the study and BuCh level was measured. The sex, age, amount of ingestion, time of consumption, signs and symptoms, ECG and arterial blood gas (ABG) changes and clinical outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Most (58.3%) patients were males, the mean age was 32.76±17.65 years. The average amount of ingestion was 7.5±4.6 and 2.5±2.96 gr for ZnP and ALP, respectively. Most signs and symptoms were hypotension (97%), nausea and vomiting (82%) and abdominal pain (32%). The average amount of BuCh level in all patients was 5163.25±2158.31 U/L, that's while in ZnP and ALP poisoned patients was 5608±1577 U/L and 4721.46±2562U/L respectively. The most dysrhythmia (26.7%) was sinus tachycardia. Acidosis was seen in 33.3% of patients. 14 patients died after hospital admission, which caused a 23.3% fatality rate.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that, there was no significant change in BuCh level in poisoned patients with phosphide compounds.

Fresh red blood cells transfusion protects against aluminum phosphide-induced metabolic acidosis and mortality in rats

BACKGROUND

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is used as pesticide in some countries for protection of stored grains. Human poisoning with AlP due to suicide attempt or accidental environmental exposure is associated with very high mortality partially due to development of severe metabolic acidosis. Previous studies have shown that hemoglobin has high buffering capacity and erythrocytes can potentially be used for management of metabolic acidosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fresh packed red blood cells (RBC) transfusion on survival and cardiovascular function in AlP-poisoned rats.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Rats were poisoned with AlP by gavage. Fresh packed RBC was transfused via tail vein after AlP administration. Acid-base balance, vital signs and mortality was assessed and compared in experimental groups. Infusion of fresh packed RBC (1.5 ml) one hour after AlP (4-15 mg/kg) intoxication was associated with a significant decrease in mortality rate. Packed RBC infusion improved blood pH, HCO3-, Na+ and Ca2+ levels. Plasma troponin level was also reduced and ECG changes were reversed following packed RBC infusion in AlP intoxicated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that fresh RBC transfusion could ameliorate metabolic acidosis and enhance survival in AlP-poisoned rat. We assume that an increase in pool of RBCs may modulate acid-base balance or potentially chelate AlP-related toxic intermediates via phosphine-hemoglobin interaction.