1/4. Laboratory confirmation of scopolamine co-intoxication in patients using tainted heroin.BACKGROUND: First described in 1995, at least 325 patients with a history of heroin use have since required emergency medical evaluation in several eastern US cities, because of an anticholinergic toxidrome following use of heroin. This co-intoxication has been alleged to result from an atropine-like compound. We report the clinical findings and laboratory analysis of one of several individuals who presented to our Emergency Department during this epidemic. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old male was one of 3 patients brought to the Emergency Department due to agitated behavior after insufflating heroin. Following physical and chemical restraint, vital signs were pulse 134 bpm, BP 160/90 mm Hg, RR 24/min, and T 37.3 degrees C. physical examination was remarkable for dilated pupils 8-9 mm without nystagmus, along with dry mouth, decreased bowel sounds, and flushed dry skin. A bladder catheter was placed and 500 mL of urine was obtained. Electrocardiogram revealed sinus tachycardia only. Additional sedation was required for 12 hours until normal mental status returned. A small sample of the "heroin" used was obtained and analyzed. Scopolamine was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Further evidence of scopolamine intoxication was supported by identifying scopolamine in the urine of this patient. CONCLUSION: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed scopolamine to be the cause of anticholinergic findings in a patient following use of tainted heroin. It is unclear whether scopolamine is an adulterant or contaminant in this heroin. patients with anticholinergic findings following use of heroin may be co-intoxicated with scopolamine.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. The electrocardiographic toxidrome: the ECG presentation of hydrofluoric acid ingestion.The clinician can approach the poisoned patient using the toxidrome system of toxin identification; this approach makes use of findings noted on the physical examination, highlighting the importance of abnormalities in blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory effort, body temperature, mental status, pupillary size, skin color, diaphoresis, and gastrointestinal sounds. Such a method provides structure and guidance to the clinical evaluation, providing the clinician with rapid diagnostic information and suggesting urgent management issues. A case of hydrofluoric acid poisoning is used as an example of this diagnostic approach. The patient demonstrated systemic toxicity accompanied by oral irritation and electrocardiographic abnormality (QRS complex widening and QT interval prolongation). The constellation of these findings suggested the possibility of a caustic agent (history and examination) with potential effect on potassium and calcium metabolism (electrocardiographic abnormalities). Such a constellation strongly suggested hydrofluoric acid as the culprit toxin.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Remission of high-output heart failure after surgical repair of 30-month arteriovenous femoral fistula: case report.We present a 15-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital because of breathlessness and palpitations at minimal physical effort (new york Heart association class II). The patient had a history of an abdominal and left thigh firearm wound that was surgically treated 30 months earlier. auscultation over the left femoral groin region revealed a systolodiastolic murmur. X-ray examination of the chest demonstrated significant cardiomegaly. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an enlargement of 4 cardiac chambers, as well as significant mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Vascular ultrasound of the femoral artery and vein confirmed the diagnosis of a traumatic arteriovenous fistula. The patient underwent surgical correction of the fistula, after which the symptoms subsided rapidly. Follow-up echocardiography performed 2 months after surgical repair showed a substantial reduction of cardiac size and a nearly complete absence of valvular regurgitations. This case highlights the importance of the recognition of arteriovenous fistulas as a cause of unexpected heart failure and demonstrates that the condition may improve substantially and rapidly after fistula correction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Perimyocarditis. Report on an unusual cause.A 29-year-old man had a febrile illness accompanied by chest pain and tachycardia. The ECG suggested either myocarditis or acute ischemia. Heart muscle enzymes were normal, the peripheral blood count showed absolute and relative lymphocytosis, and an echocardiogram disclosed a small pericardial effusion. After defervescence, splenomegaly was noted and the SGPT level was elevated to four times normal. There was a greater than fourfold rise in titer of IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus. This is only the second report in detail of perimyocarditis caused by cytomegalovirus mononucleosis. An interesting aspect of the case was an afebrile prodrome that lasted for more than one week, during which prostration, palpitations, and breathlessness on exertion were present and the sole physical finding was tachycardia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |