Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology

A Case of Mental Change in a Patient Who Received a Zoletil Injection: Yeong Ki Lee, In Gu Kang, Cheol Sang Park, Seok Jin Heo, Youn Seok Chai, Seong Soo Park, Jae Kwang Lee, Hyun Jin Kim, Won Joon Jeong; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2013;11(1):23-27. Published online June 30, 2013

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Abstract PDF: Zoletil is a non-opioid, non-barbiturate animal anesthetic and proprietary combination of two drugs, a dissociative anesthetic drug, tiletamine, with the benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, zolazepam. Zoletil has greater potency than ketamine. Zoletil is abused for recreational purposes, especially by people with easy access to medicine. However, in Korea, it is available over-the-counter. Here we report on a case of an 83-year-old woman who received injection of seven vials of "Zoletil 50" by her daughter and presented with an altered mental change. Her mental state was stupor and vital sign was hypotension, bradycardia. Her blood tests indicated metabolic and respiratory acidosis and hyperkalemia. She was treated with intravenous naloxone and flumazenil but was not responsive. She was admitted to the ICU and treated with supportive therapy. Her mental state showed transient recovery, however, her clinical manifestation worsened and she expired.

Evaluation of the Risk Factors for Aspiration Pneumonitis Following Drug Intoxication: Dong-Hee Kim, Joo-Suk Oh, Yeon-Young Kyoung, Se-Min Choi, Young-Min Oh, Kyoung-Ho Choi, Kyu-Nam Park; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2009;7(2):127-136. Published online December 31, 2009

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: It is known that aspiration pneumonitis is associated with high mortality and morbidity following overdose. However, until now, few domestic studies on this subject have been conducted. The main aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors associated with aspiration pneumonitis in intubated patients following overdose. Methods: Among 654 adult overdosed patients who visited our institution from Jan. 2006 to June 2008, we enrolled 70 intubated patients within 24 hours after their overdose, and we reviewed the medical records to collect the data. This data was processed by univariate analysis, followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. P values <0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results: In our study, a high incidence of pneumonitis was seen in the patients with an older age, a lower GCS and a high poisoning severity score or a high comorbidity score (p<0.05). Compared with the non-pneumonitis group, the pneumonitis group had a higher incidence of intubation (6% vs 61.8%, respectively, p<0.05). The main cause of intubation was a decreased mentality (68.6%). Older age, a high comorbidity score, irrigation without airway protection, relative hypoxemia and hyperkalemia were the risk factors of aspiration pneumonitis in the intubated overdosed patients (p<0.05). Among these factors, age, a high potassium level and airway protection might be significant predictors of aspiration penumonitis (p<0.05). Conclusion: Older age, a high potassium level and irrigation without proper airway protection may be the significant factors that can predict aspiration pneumonitis in patients who are intubated within 24 hours after overdose, although the further investigations on this are needed.

Ingestion of Hydrofluoric acid: A rapid and fetal poisoning: Jae-Hee Lee, Jin-Hee Jung, Eun-Kyung Eo; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2007;5(2):135-137. Published online December 31, 2007

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Abstract PDF: Hydrofluoric acid is a weak inorganic acid used for etching and as rust removals. Systemic toxicity after oral ingestion induces rapid development of hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia, leading to ventricular fibrillation and finally asystole. We report a case of intentional ingestion of hydrofluoric acid producing an altered mental state at the time of the patient's arrival in the emergency department. The patient died approximately 80 minutes after the exposure with asystol.

2 Cases of Toad Venom Intoxication: Cheong-Hoon Kwon, Woo-Chan Jun, Yoon-Suk Jung, Jung-Hwan Ahn; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2006;4(1):58-60. Published online June 30, 2006

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Abstract PDF: The venom gland of Toad contains large quantities of cardiac glycosides, and toad venom poisoning is similar to digitalis toxicity and carries a high mortality. Sometimes after ingestion of aphrodisiac pills which contain dried toad, a patient develops gastrointestinal symptoms and bradycardia, psychoneurologic symptoms. We have experienced 2 cases of toad venom intoxication, who ingested asian toads. Patients were presented to our ED with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The patients were peformed monitoring and conservative treatment and were fully recovered. Toad venom intoxication should be considered in patients with clinical manifestation of gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac arrhythmias, hyperkalemia, and detectable serum digoxin level without current medication of digoxin.

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