TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1991//
TI  - Acetonitrile serum concentrations and cyanide blood levels in a case of suicidal oral acetonitrile ingestion
JO  - Journal of toxicology - clinical toxicology
A1  - Michaelis, H. C.
A1  - Clemens, C.
A1  - Kijewski, H.
A1  - Neurath, H.
A1  - Eggert, A.
SP  - 447
EP  - 458
VL  - 29
IS  - 4
N2  - Acute acetonitrile toxicity is mainly dependent on the release of cyanide via hepatic metabolism. Although evaluated in animals, few data are available concerning the toxicokinetic parameters of acetonitrile and acetonitrile-liberated cyanide in human. This paper reports a case of suicidal oral acetonitrile ingestion of about 5 mL without severe symptoms of intoxication in a previously healthy adult male with a body weight of 60 kg. Acetonitrile serum concentrations as well as cyanide blood levels were determined over the whole hospitalization. The elimination half-lives calculated from these data were 32 h for acetonitrile and 15 h for cyanide. After sodium thiosulfate bolus application, the cyanide blood level rapidly decreased to 10% of the initial value, indicating that sodium thiosulfate sufficiently detoxifies acetonitrile-liberated cyanide. Since cyanide levels again increased to maximal values about 4.5 h after sodium thiosulfate application, continued thiosulfate therapy is required as predicted by the long elimination half-lives of acetonitrile and acetonitrile-liberated cyanide. Determination of cyanide and acetonitrile concentrations is recommended for the estimation of optimal individual sodium thiosulfate dosage.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0731-3810
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -