Emergency resuscitation extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ER ECMO) in 60 saves life

Abstract

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is one of the most commonly used pesticides worldwide with high mortality rates primarily due to the production of phosphene gas which causes severe mitochondrial damage leading to refractory myocardial depression, refractory hypotension, severe metabolic acidosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.[1] There is no antidote for ALP poisoning and treatment remains mainly supportive. The available literature shows a favorable outcome with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severely intoxicated patients presenting early with cardiovascular collapse. In this study, we describe an adult male who presented to us with ALP poisoning following deliberate self-harm, was put on ECMO in the emergency room and had a good prognosis.

Keywords

• aluminum
• cardiotoxicity
• extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• poisoning