Changes in the parameters of oxygen metabolism in a clinical course recovering from potassium cyanide.

Abstract

Poisoning with potassium cyanide is usually fatal because of the inhibition of cytochrome oxidase. The parameters of oxygen metabolism in a patient with cyanide poisoning who was admitted in a coma with seizures was monitored. The administration of amyl nitrite and sodium thiosulfate led to a rapid improvement: the parameters reflecting oxygen metabolism improved and the plasma level of cyanide decreased. The patient revived 1 1/2 hours after treatment. The arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR), which is the ratio of acetoacetate to beta-hydroxybutyrate in arterial blood and which reflects the redox state in liver mitochondria, improved dramatically following treatment. Because the AKBR changes in relation to electron transport in liver mitochondria, it seems to be a logical parameter for evaluating the effect of potassium cyanide poisoning on electron transport. The AKBR also reflects the efficacy of treatment for cyanide poisoning.

• Authors: T Nakatani, Y Kosugi, A Mori, K Tajimi, K Kobayashi
• Journal: The American journal of emergency medicine (Am J Emerg Med) Vol. 11 Issue 3 Pg. 213-7 (May 1993) ISSN: 0735-6757 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8489660 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Acetoacetates
• Antidotes
• Hydroxybutyrates
• Nitrates
• Pentanols
• Thiosulfates
• acetoacetic acid
• sodium thiosulfate
• Potassium Cyanide
• Oxygen
• 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid
• amyl nitrate

Topics

• 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid
• Acetoacetates (blood)
• Adult
• Antidotes (therapeutic use)
• Electron Transport (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hydroxybutyrates (blood)
• Male
• Mitochondria, Liver (metabolism)
• Nitrates (therapeutic use)
• Oxygen (metabolism)
• Pentanols (therapeutic use)
• Poisoning (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Potassium Cyanide (poisoning)
• Thiosulfates (therapeutic use)