Abstracts of the 2012 International Congress of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists, 25 May–1 June 2012, London, UK
Abstract
Objective: The indications for, and availability of, \nlaboratory assays required for the effective management \nof the poisoned patient are described. Methods: \nCurrently recommended assays, their indications and \ntheir availability were reviewed within the United \nKingdom by the National Poisons Information Service \nand the Association for Clinical Biochemistry. Results: \nLaboratory assays for toxins and/or their metabolites \nare a very important part of the management of patients \nwith potentially serious poisoning. However, there is \nevidence that laboratory toxicological investigations are \noverused by medical staff. There is also evidence that the \navailability of these investigations varies between hospitals, \nparticularly when required outside normal working \nhours. This may present problems in management. \nIndications for laboratory assays include: confi rmation \nof the diagnosis of poisoning when this is in doubt; to \ninfl uence patient management, (e.g. the need for further \ninvestigations, antidotes, haemodialysis or other extracorporeal \nmethods of elimination, or to stop treatment) \nand to plan the re-institution of chronic therapy. They \nare also of use in the diagnosis of brain death, in assessing \nthe suitability of potential organ donors and for \nmedico-legal or forensic reasons. In addition to supportive \ninvestigations which are widely available (e.g. urea \nand electrolytes, glucose, calcium, magnesium, creatine \nkinase, liver…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Pathophysiology of Non-IgE-Mediated Food Allergy
- Clinical Management of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome: Part II-Use of Immunomodulatory Therapies
- Effect of Dilute Apple Juice and Preferred Fluids vs Electrolyte Maintenance Solution on Treatment Failure Among Children With Mild Gastroenteritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome in Children
- Treatment of norovirus infections: moving antivirals from the bench to the bedside
- Cannabinoid Hyperemesis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.