Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of Cardiovascular Drugs in Cases Presented to the National Environmental and Clinical Toxicology and Research Centre during 2022 - Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular drug intoxication is a common health problem where the prognosis of patients depends on several factors. Aim of the work: This study aimed to evaluate acute poisoning of cardiovascular drug cases presented to the National Environmental and Clinical Toxicology and Research (NECTR) Centre. Subjects and Patients and Methods: Demographic data and data concerning clinical presentations, investigations, lines of treatment, and outcome of the cases presented to the NECTR Centre with acute toxicity of cardiovascular drugs during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2022, were analyzed. Results: The study was conducted on 117 cases. The majority of cases were >18 years old (79.5%). Females were more commonly affected than males. Beta blocker toxicity was the most commonly reported drug intoxication, accounting for 37.1% of the cases. The manner of drug toxicity was suicidal in all cases. Sinus bradycardia was the most noted ECG change (29.1%), while the most noted ABG change was metabolic acidosis (12%). Regarding the outcome of the cases, the majority of cases improved and discharged (81.2%), and 60.7% of the cases were hospitalized for 24 to 72 hours. The Poison Severity Score (PSS) was a predictor of cardiotoxicity in digoxin cases. Both metabolic and respiratory acidosis were predictors of cardiotoxicity. Conclusion: Intentional poisoning by cardiovascular drugs poses a serious health concern, especially among adult females in Egypt.

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