Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: The Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup was formed to provide recommendations on the use of extracorporeal treatments (ECTR) in poisoning. Here, we present our results for digoxin. METHODS: After a systematic literature search, clinical and toxicokinetic data were extracted and summarized following a predetermined format. The entire workgroup voted through a two-round modified Delphi method to reach a consensus on voting statements. A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to quantify disagreement, and anonymous votes were compiled and discussed in person. A second vote was conducted to determine the final workgroup recommendations. RESULTS: Out of 435 articles screened, 77 met inclusion criteria. Only in-vitro, animal studies, case reports and case series were identified yielding a very low quality of evidence for all recommendations. Based on data from 84 patients, including six fatalities, it was concluded that digoxin is slightly dialyzable (level of evidence = B), and that ECTR is unlikely to improve the outcome of digoxin-toxic patients whether or not digoxin immune Fab (Fab) is administered. Despite the lack of robust clinical evidence, the workgroup recommended against the use of ECTR in cases of severe digoxin poisoning when Fab was available (1D) and also suggested against the use of ECTR when Fab was unavailable (2D). CONCLUSION: ECTR, in any form, is not indicated for either suspected or proven digoxin toxicity, regardless of the clinical context, and is not indicated for removal of digoxin-Fab complex.

BACKGROUND: Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are emerging at an unprecedented rate. Likewise, prevalence of use and poisonings has increased in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To compare characteristics of NPS exposures and non-NPS-drug-related exposures and to examine whether there are differences between exposures involving synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) and other NPS. METHODS: Poison control center data from the five counties of New York City and Long Island were examined from 2011-2014. We examined prevalence and characteristics of NPS exposures (classified as intentional abuse) and compared characteristics of cases involving SCRAs and other NPS. RESULTS: Prevalence of NPS exposures was 7.1% in 2011, rising to 12.6% in 2014. Most exposures (82.3%) involved SCRA use. The second and third most prevalent classes were phenethylamines/synthetic cathinones ("bath salts"; 10.2%) and psychedelic phenethylamines (4.3%). Compared to other drug-related exposures (i.e. involving licit and illicit drugs), those who used NPS were more likely to be younger, male, and to have not co-used other drugs (ps < 0.001). SCRA exposures increased sharply in 2014 and the mean age of users increased over time (p < 0.01). Females exposed to SCRAs were younger than males (p < 0.001), and in 2014, individuals exposed to SCRAs were more likely to report concomitant use of alcohol than users of other NPS (p = 0.010). Users of other NPS were more likely than SCRA users to report concomitant use of ecstasy/3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)/"Molly" (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Exposures reported to the poison center that involve NPS are increasing and the majority involve SCRAs. These findings should inform prevention and harm reduction approaches.

Context Although the clinical use of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy for the treatment of lipophilic drug toxicity is increasing, the focus of most publications is on outcome in laboratory animals or in patients. An unintended consequence of intravenous lipid emulsion is the creation of extremely lipemic blood, which may interfere with the laboratory analysis or interpretation of common analytes. Objective The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology has established a lipid emulsion workgroup to review the evidence and produce recommendations on the use of this novel therapy for drug toxicity. The aim of this subgroup is to review the available evidence regarding the effect of intravenous lipid emulsion on common laboratory testing, which often forms the basis of the appraisal of the balance between benefits and potential adverse events. Methods We performed a comprehensive review of the literature. Relevant articles were determined based upon a predefined methodology. Package inserts of manufacturers' assays were collected. Article inclusion required that the article met predefined inclusion criteria with the agreement of at least two members of the subgroup. Results We included thirty-six articles in the final analysis. Evaluation of the reviewed analytes revealed heterogeneity with regards to the assessment of the effect of intravenous lipid emulsion in terms of consistency and magnitude of effect across the different analytic platforms. Conclusions The measurements of a number of common analytes can be markedly affected by the lipemia produced by lipid emulsions such that they cannot always be interpreted in the way that most physicians use this information in typical clinical situations. In fact, a lack of appreciation of this effect may lead to unintentional treatment errors. Because the effect of the lipemia produced is dependent on the reagents and laboratory platform used, it would be useful for all future reports to clearly document sample handling, reagents and laboratory platform used, as well as any procedures employed to reduce the lipid content.

CONTEXT: Solanum torvum berries, known as susumber or turkey berries, are prepared as part of traditional Jamaican dishes usually served with cod and rice. Poisoning is rare. Although toxic compounds have never been definitively isolated, previous reports suggest toxicity results from inhibition of acetylcholinesterases. We present a case of susumber berry poisoning with detailed electromyographic studies and laboratory analysis. CASE DETAILS: A 54-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) complaining of vision, speech, and gait changes; emesis; and diffuse myalgias following consumption of susumber berries. The physical examination demonstrated an intact, lucid mental status, miosis, opsoclonus, severe dysarthria, dysmetria, mild extremity tenderness and weakness, and inability to ambulate. Her symptom constellation was interpreted as a stroke. DISCUSSION: Electromyography demonstrated a pattern of early full recruitment as well as myotonia during the period of acute toxicity. Additionally, solanaceous compounds, in particular solasonine and solanidine, were identified in leftover berries and the patient's serum. Store-bought commercial berries and subsequent serum samples were free of such toxic compounds. EMG studies, together with a laboratory analysis of berries or serum can assist in the differential diagnosis of stroke, and provide both a prognostic screening and confirmation of suspected glycoside toxicity.

Background: In comparison to cigarette smoking, little is known about the adverse health consequences of water pipe smoking (WPS). Clinically significant acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an uncommonly reported adverse effect of WPS. Hypothesis: WPS may be associated with serious adverse effects related to CO poisoning.
Method(s): This is a case series of consecutive patients treated at a large metropolitan hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment referral center associated with a level 1 trauma center and burn unit. The patients either presented primarily to the ED or were referred for evaluation, between March 2015 and September 2015. Each patient smoked a water pipe immediately before the onset of symptoms consistent with CO poisoning, had an elevated COHb documented, and had other environmental sources of CO excluded.
Result(s): Five patients (three males) between the ages of 14 and 50 years were evaluated for CO poisoning afterWPS. Four patients were smoking a water pipe inside their homes, while one patient smoked outdoors. Only two patients smoked cigarettes at least occasionally. On presentation, three patients had also consumed alcohol; all denied any other drug use. Their initial COHb concentration and presenting symptoms were as follows: 11 % (seizure); 21 % (syncope); 22 % (syncope); 24 % (seizure); 25.4 % (syncope and seizure). All patients were hemodynamically stable and all underwent a single HBO treatment at 2.6 ATA. All were asymptomatic and clinically normal after HBO.
Discussion(s): Although this is a large series of carbon monoxide-poisoned patients associated with WPS, it remains unclear why only some users develop an elevated COHb. Additionally, without epidemiological data, the incidence of CO poisoning with WPS is unknown. Furthermore, the relationship between COHb concentrations in the setting ofWPS and the development of symptoms is unclear. Surveillance and research are necessary to better define these relationships.
Conclusion(s): WPS may be an underappreciated source of significant CO poisoning

OBJECTIVE: Warfarin is a high-risk medication whose safe use may be greatly improved by patient education. This study evaluate evaluated patients' understanding of warfarin instructions, medication management, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) warfarin medication guide content, and patient information recommendations. METHODS: Interviews conducted at 2 hospital-based outpatient primary care sites with patients initiated on warfarin therapy within the last year. RESULTS: Interviews were conducted with 49 patients. Seventy percent were between 36 and 64 years old and reported taking between 1 and 18 different medications daily. Many (76%) received information about warfarin when first prescribed to them, 65% written and 60% verbal (answers reflect more than one response). Patients found content in the medication guide difficult to understand; 18% were unable to identify information about diet and 21% were unable to locate information about when to call their provider. Analysis showed that 19% had trouble with numeracy issues related to warfarin. Patients' suggestions of ways to convey warfarin information included more graphics, in-person counseling, and multilingual translations. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates gaps in patients' understanding of warfarin therapy. Relying solely on the information in the FDA medication guide is insufficient to guarantee adequate understanding. Utilizing the suggestions from patients' feedback on other ways to deliver information should help future patients with different learning abilities and styles.