INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE HEART TO VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION DURING METABOLIC ACIDOSIS

Aluminium phosphide (ALP) and aluminium zinc phosphide (ZnP), the two main ingredients of fumigation drugs, are commonly used to kill insects or rodents in grain. When exposed to water, highly toxic phosphine gas is released and absorbed through the respiratory or digestive tract. Phosphine gas could non-selectively block cytochrome oxidase, inhibit electron transfer and suppress oxidative phosphorylation, leading to cellular hypoxia and organ dysfunction. The characteristic clinical manifestations are refractory shock and metabolic acidosis with high mortality. However, patients with ALP poisoning have a chance to be cured. Here, we report a case of oral ALP poisoning that was successfully treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) combined with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) during frequent ventricular fibrillation and cardiac dysfunction.

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Ventricular Excitability and Refractoriness in the Hypothermic Dog

American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content ◽

10.1152/ajplegacy.1957.189.3.591 ◽

1957 ◽

Vol 189 (3) ◽

pp. 591-595 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

E. T. Angelakos ◽

E. G. Laforet ◽

A. H. Hegnauer

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Ventricular Fibrillation ◽

Response Latency ◽

Refractory Period ◽

Cardiac Cycle ◽

Significant Alteration ◽

Entire Cardiac Cycle ◽

Refractory Periods ◽

Rate Of Recovery ◽

Increased Susceptibility

Measurements of ventricular exctiability through the entire cardiac cycle of the dog under progressive hypothermia show that the ventricular refractory period (measured as absolute, total or functional refractory period) is greatly prolonged. This effect is not secondary to the changes in heart rate since normothermic animals with surgical A-V block having heart rates similar to those obtained under hypothermia do not show any great prolongation in the ventricular refractory period. At heart temperatures ranging from 38° to 23°C there is no significant alteration in the diastolic excitability of the ventricle. The rate of recovery of diastolic excitability and the response latency were greatly prolonged as reflected in the marked increase in the duration of the relative and functional refractory periods. It is suggested that the increased susceptibility of the hypothermic myocardium to ventricular fibrillation may be related to the observed changes in the rate of recovery of excitability.

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Is the Use of Calcium Helpful in Cardiac Resuscitation? Experimental and Clinical Studies

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00044642 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

pp. 245-247

Author(s):

G. Meuret ◽

V. Roth ◽

D. Borcherding ◽

K. L. Scholler

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Acidosis ◽

Ventricular Fibrillation ◽

Sodium Bicarbonate ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Circulatory Arrest ◽

Inotropic Agents ◽

Cardiac Resuscitation ◽

Ventricular Fibrillation Threshold ◽

Positive Inotropic Agents

The effect of positive inotropic agents on circulation and ventricular fibrillation threshold are not fully understood during the influence of metabolic acidosis during circulatory arrest. This is the same case with alkalosis, caused by the over-correction of sodium bicarbonate. Furthermore, the role of calcium during CPR is not clear.Therefore, we investigated the influence of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis with and without the administration of the positive inotropic substances epinephrine and calcium upon contractility and ventricular fibrillation threshold.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Increased susceptibility of aged hearts to ventricular fibrillation during oxidative stress.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1166227.627159 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Hund

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Ventricular Fibrillation ◽

Increased Susceptibility

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Dual stain kit for the microscopic gram classification of ocular infection bacteria

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100147089 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 248-249

Author(s):

Jacob S. Hanker ◽

Dale N. Holdren ◽

Kenneth L. Cohen ◽

Beverly L. Giammara

Keyword(s):

Contact Lenses ◽

Ocular Infection ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Gram Staining ◽

Ocular Infections ◽

Different Types ◽

Culture Positive ◽

Increased Susceptibility

Keratitis and conjunctivitis (infections of the cornea or conjunctiva) are ocular infections caused by various bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites; bacteria, however, are usually prominent. Systemic conditions such as alcoholism, diabetes, debilitating disease, AIDS and immunosuppressive therapy can lead to increased susceptibility but trauma and contact lens use are very important factors. Gram-negative bacteria are most frequently cultured in these situations and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is most usually isolated from culture-positive ulcers of patients using contact lenses. Smears for staining can be obtained with a special swab or spatula and Gram staining frequently guides choice of a therapeutic rinse prior to the report of the culture results upon which specific antibiotic therapy is based. In some cases staining of the direct smear may be diagnostic in situations where the culture will not grow. In these cases different types of stains occasionally assist in guiding therapy.

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