Management of aluminium phosphide poisoning.

Abstract

This manuscript presents a clinical case of a patient poisoned by aluminium phosphide in its hydrolysed form, phosphine gas, following a suicide attempt, and its therapeutic management in the emergency room. The cardiovascular, metabolic and gasometric changes described in the pathophysiology of this poisoning were documented. There is no specific antidote, and treatment involves careful supportive care and reduction of the bioavailability of the phosphine in the poisoned patient. In this case, the patient was treated with vegetable oil, mannitol, bicarbonate and activated charcoal during the first 24 hours of hospitalisation. The patient had an excellent evolution of symptoms and electrocardiographic and haemodynamic changes and was discharged from the hospital without any sequelae. The treatment used was based on the pathophysiology of phosphide poisoning, and it may be implemented according to the severity of the pathology and the resources of the medical unit.