[Clinical nature of tetrodotoxin intoxication and the measures for emergency rescue].

Objective: To define the clinical nature of tetrodotoxin intoxication and explore the measures for its emergency rescue.

Methods: The emergency rescue measures and outcomes of 33 cases tetrodotoxin intoxication were reviewed.

Results: No obvious effects were observed in these patients after administration of atropine or application of respiratory stimulant, but implementation of mechanical ventilation and comprehensive life support measures resulted in successful rescue of mild to moderate cases within 10 to 14 h, and recovery of spontaneous respiration was achieved in critical cases in 19-24 h.

Conclusion: Tetrodotoxin selectively blocks the neuromuscular electrical activity, producing the effect of nondepolarizing curine and leading to failure of the respiratory drive without compromising the respiratory center. Atropine, a M-cholinergic receptor blocker, or central stimulants may fail to produce obvious effects, but comprehensive treatments including maintenance of effective ventilation can bring satisfactory effects.