cholinergic toxidrome

clinical presentation

  • SLUDGE:
    • salivation
    • lacrimation
    • urination
    • diarrhoea
    • g??
    • emesis (vomiting)
  • bronchorrhea, bronchospasm
  • miosis = small pupils!
  • fasciculation

toxins

  • organophosphate
  • inhibition of acetylcholinesterase: rivastigmine, physostigmine
  • edrophonium
  • sarin nerve gas...

management

  • Resuscitation
    • A - control the airway
    • B - maintain normoxia
    • C - establish access, resuscitate with fluids/vasopressors
    • D - Seizure control, correction of hypoglycaemia
    • E - Correction of hypothermia and electrolyte abnormalities 
    • Rescue antidotes:
      • atropine - 0.02mg/kg bolus, then double the dose with every subsequent dose
      • for organophosphates: pralidoxime
  • Risk assessment
  • Supportive care and monitoring
  • Investigations
    • screening (ECG, paracetamol)
    • Specific (eg. drug levels, CK)
  • Decontamination: remove remove remove