Citation

Parr MJ, Anaes FC, Day AC, Kletchko SL, Crone PD, Rankin AP. Intensive Care Med. 1990; 16(6): 394-398.

Affiliation

Department of Intensive Care, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2246422

Abstract

Sixty-four cases of theophylline poisoning were reviewed. All but two cases represented international self poisoning. The majority of patients were young females who presented acutely after ingestion of sustained release preparations prescribed for asthma. Serum theophylline levels (mean 365 mumol/l, SD 177) indicated a high risk of toxicity. Electrolyte and metabolic abnormalities (hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypophosphataemia, hyperglycaemia, acid-base disturbances and leucocytosis) were common. Serum potassium, serum glucose, leucocyte count and length of stay in the intensive care unit all correlated strongly with maximum serum theophylline level (p less than 0.001). The low incidence of life-threatening manifestations of severe toxicity (hypotension, serious arrhythmias or seizures) and excellent outcome, contrasts with many previous reports. The results support the use of a management regimen which emphasizes intensive supportive therapy and restricts the use of charcoal haemoperfusion.

Language: en