Abstract Title:

Intoxication by large amounts of barium nitrate overcome by early massive K supplementation and oral administration of magnesium sulphate.

Abstract Source:

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2010 Mar 30. Epub 2010 Mar 30. PMID: 20354061

Abstract Author(s):

Christine Payen, Arnaud Dellinger, Corine Pulce, Vincent Cirimele, Vincent Carbonnel, Pascal Kintz, Jacques Descotes

Article Affiliation:

Poison Center and Pharmacovigilance Department, Lyon University Hospitals, Lyon, France.

Abstract:

Suicide by ingestion of barium is exceptionally rare. Adverse health effects depend on the solubility of the barium compound. Severe hypokalemia, which generally occurs within 2 hours after ingestion, is the predominating feature of acute barium toxicity, subsequently leading to adverse effects on muscular activity and cardiac automaticity. We report one case of acute poisoning with barium nitrate, a soluble barium compound. A 75-year-old woman was hospitalized after suicidal ingestion of a burrow mole fumigant containing 12.375 g of barium nitrate. About 1 hour post-ingestion, she was only complaining of abdominal pain. The ECG recording demonstrated polymorphic ventricular premature complexes (VPCs). Laboratory data revealed profound hypokalemia (2.1 mmol/L). She made a complete and uneventful recovery after early and massive potassium supplementation combined with oral magnesium sulphate to prevent barium nitrate absorption.

Study Type : Human Study

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