Citation

Benaissa ML, Hantson P, Bismuth C, Baud FJ. Intensive Care Med. 1995; 21(12): 1051-1053.

Affiliation

Reanimation Toxicologique, Hopital Fernand Widal, Paris, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8750135

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although cyanide poisoning can be serious or fatal, it is typically described as mild when the cyanide is ingested in the form of either mercuric cyanide or mercury oxycyanide. METHODS: We studied two patients with acute cyanide poisoning following ingestion of one of these two agents in each case. RESULTS: Both patients demonstrated features of life-threatening cyanide poisoning, including hemodynamic instability, severe lactic acidosis, and high blood cyanide concentration. One of the patients died, while the second demonstrated signs of mercury intoxication (acute renal failure and severe gastrointestinal symptoms), in addition to cyanide intoxication. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of either mercuric cyanide or mercury oxycyanide can result in life-threatening cyanide intoxication.

Language: en