Citation

Fortin JL, Judic-Peureux V, Desmettre T, Manzon C, Grimon D, Hostalek U, Fétro C, Capellier G. J. Correct. Health Care 2011; 17(1): 29-33.

Affiliation

Emergency Department, Jean Minjoz University Hospital, Besançon, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (USA), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1078345810385647

PMID

21278317

Abstract

Cyanide poisoning is an important source of morbidity and mortality from smoke exposure in structural fires. This case involved administration of a cyanide antidote to a prisoner (male, 23 years) in France, discovered in cardiorespiratory arrest after about 30 minutes exposure to smoke from a burning mattress during an apparent suicide attempt. Smoke exposure, circulatory failure during initial resuscitation, and elevated blood cyanide and lactate led to the diagnosis of cyanide poisoning. Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit(®), 5 g intravenous) was given immediately and on arrival at the hospital. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation restored cardiovascular function after 33 minutes. There were no neurological or other sequelae. Timely hydroxocobalamin administration contributed to full recovery from cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to cyanide poisoning from smoke inhalation. Hydroxocobalamin should be available to emergency medical teams attending fire scenes.

Language: en