Publication/Presentation Date

1-3-2021

Abstract

A 94-year-old woman was found unresponsive in her room at an independent living facility. Upon paramedic arrival, the patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3, and she was transported to the emergency department (ED). In the ED, she was unresponsive but spontaneously breathing, bradycardia, and hypothermia. Serum concentrations of both secobarbital (3.3µg/mL; therapeutic 1.0-2.0µg/mL) and pentobarbital (9.5µg/mL; therapeutic < 5.0µg/mL) were detected and elevated. This type of poisoning is quite rare and should be considered in patients presenting with hypothermia and coma, even in patients showing brain death signs. The use of hemodialysis for refractory pentobarbital poisoning may be helpful.

Volume

13

Issue

1

First Page

12446

Last Page

12446

ISSN

2168-8184

Disciplines

Medical Toxicology | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

33552764

Department(s)

Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty, Department of Emergency Medicine Residents, Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article

Share

COinS