Author/Editor		Sinkovič, Andreja
Title		Zastrupitve s plini
Translated title		Gas poisonings
Type		članek
Source		In: Hojs R, Krajnc I, Pahor A, et al, editors. Iz prakse za prakso. Zbornik predavanj in praktikum 16. srečanje internistov in zdravnikov splošne medicine z mednarodno udeležbo; 2005 maj 20-21; Maribor. Maribor: Splošna bolnišnica Maribor,
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 193-203
Language		slo
Abstract		Though 7% of all emergency department visits are due to suspect acute poisonings, of which more than 80% are accidental and a minority intentional, their mortality rate is less than 1%. Accidental acute poisonings are responsible for 5% of all accidental deaths. Suicidal attempts are mostly acute intoxications. Only about 5.5 % of acute poisonings are the consequence of gas inhalation, mainly causing asphyxia or irritation of the respiratory system. Asphyxia is the consequence of gas inhalation causing anoxia in high concentrations, as is the case in carbon dioxide, or causing tissue hypoxia as is the case in carbon monoxide, cyanides or sulfuretted hydrogen poisonings. Acute carbon monoxide poisoning is among the most important causes of lethal intoxications, also causing late neurological sequelae. Irritant gases, either water- or fatty-soluble, irritate the respiratory-system mucosa and are an important cause of either acute or chronic poisonings in industry, household and environment. Beside local irritation, manifested as cough, hoarseness, dyspnea, tracheobronchitis, glottis edema, acute upper airway obstruction, chemical pneumonitis or toxic pulmonary edema, they are associated with systemic effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, diainess, even coma, respiratory arrest and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Removal of the poison victim from the contaminated area is the first measure, followed by basic and advanced life support measures including administration of oxygen, antidotes and of symptomatic therapy.
Descriptors		GAS POISONING CARBON DIOXIDE ASPHYXIA CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CYANIDES HYDROGEN SULFIDE NITROGEN OXIDES BENZENE IRRITANTS