Professional paper

Comatose states caused by intoxication a twelve-year experience

N. Sarapa ; Klinički bolnički centar u Zagrebu, Klinika za unutarnje bolesti s poliklinikom Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Z. Duraković ; Klinički bolnički centar u Zagrebu, Klinika za unutarnje bolesti s poliklinikom Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
M. Gjurašin ; Klinički bolnički centar u Zagrebu, Klinika za unutarnje bolesti s poliklinikom Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

The study included a total of 105 patients in a state of coma caused by intoxication, who were treated at an intensive care unit over a period of twelve years. Sixty-six patients were intoxicated with drugs that affect the central nervous system, six with drugs that affect the other organs, 18 were intoxicated with pesticides and 15 with alcohol. Fifty-eight patients had taken two or more toxic agents simultaneously. Thirty-five patients were in a state of grade IV coma, 31 were in grade III, 27 in grade II, nine in grade I and three patients were in grade O coma. The overall mortality was 11.5%. Of 12 deceased patients, 11 were in grade IV coma and one was in grade III coma. The autopsy findings are described. Extracorporeal methods for the elimination of toxins from the blood (haemodialysis, haemoperfusion or a combination of the two methods) were applied in 32 heavisly intoxicated patients. The mortality in this group was 9.4%. The three deceased patients were in grade IV coma. The results indicate good applicability of these methods for toxin elimination. Their use in deep or prolonged comatose states caused by intoxication, and in cases of severe intoxication following ingestion of lethal doses of toxic agents is therefore recommended.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

152858

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/152858

Publication date:

31.1.1989.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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