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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Ruben ThanacoodyORCiD
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© 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Introduction: Cyanide is a prevalent, lethal chemical. Possible sources of exposure include products of combustion, plant material, industry, chemical warfare and terrorism. Methods: Retrospective review of UK Poisons Information Database of telephone enquiries to the National Poisons Information Service between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2019 where cyanide poisoning was considered a possibility. Data extracted included demographics, exposure source, clinical features, Poisoning Severity Score, lactate concentration and antidotes given. Results: A total of 1,252 cases of suspected cyanide poisoning were identified, 239 (19%) involved children under 10 years. The commonest sources of exposure were ingestion of plant material (437 cases; 35%) and smoke inhalation (399; 32%). Smoke inhalation caused the majority of severe and fatal cases (139; 71%). Clinical features associated with fatal outcomes were cardiac arrest (OR 36.4; 95% CI 14.4–92.2), hypotension (15.8; 7.0–35.9), coma (10.8; 5.6–21.0) and lactic acidosis (7.8; 4.1–14.8). 110 patients (9%) were given an antidote and 40 patients (3%) died. Lactate concentrations correlate with Poisoning Severity Score category (r = 0.6, p < 0.0001). Serum lactate <2.0 mmol/L was associated with Poisoning Severity Score None or Minor (sensitivity 76%; specificity 86%) and >11.0 mmol/L was associated with fatal outcome (sensitivity 74%; specificity 80%). 61 cases (5%) had severe carboxyhaemoglobin toxicity (COHb >30%). This was associated with a fatal outcome (OR 7.0; 95% CI 1.5-33.7) and there was positive correlation between carboxyhaemoglobin and Poisoning Severity Score, r = 0.57, p < 0.0001. Conclusions: Most cases of ingestion of plant material involved children under five years and resulted in no or mild symptoms. In adults smoke inhalation was associated with the most severe poisoning. The lactate cut-off values associated with each severity score calculated in this study are lower than the values used by NPIS on TOXBASE. Analytical conformation of cyanide exposure was unavailable in the majority of case, limiting the strength of these conclusions.
Author(s): Haden M, Wheatley N, Gray LA, Bradberry SM, Sandilands EA, Thanacoody RH, Coulson J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Clinical Toxicology
Year: 2022
Volume: 60
Issue: 9
Pages: 1051-1058
Online publication date: 30/05/2022
Acceptance date: 13/05/2022
ISSN (print): 1556-3650
ISSN (electronic): 1556-9519
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2022.2080074
DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2080074
PubMed id: 35635241
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