Acute Poisoning by Dr. CK Mwandama - University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Department of Internal Medicine - Clinical Toxicology-UTH

Description

This comprehensive lecture on acute poisoning, authored by Dr. CK Mwandama from the Haematology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia, provides a systematic overview of common toxicological emergencies. The presentation covers the general clinical features and toxic syndromes associated with various poisons, followed by detailed sections on specific agents: organophosphates, paracetamol (acetaminophen), salicylates, warfarin, and digoxin. For each toxin, the lecture explains the core pathophysiology, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibition by organophosphates and NAPQI-mediated hepatotoxicity from paracetamol. It delineates the characteristic clinical presentations, including the muscarinic, nicotinic, and CNS effects of organophosphate poisoning and the four-stage progression of paracetamol toxicity. The management strategies are thoroughly outlined, encompassing general supportive care, decontamination methods like activated charcoal, and specific antidotal therapies such as atropine and pralidoxime for organophosphates, N-acetylcysteine for paracetamol, and vitamin K for warfarin. The lecture also includes a valuable reference table summarizing key antidotes for various poisons. This resource is essential for medical students, postgraduate trainees in internal medicine, emergency medicine, and critical care, as well as practicing clinicians seeking to reinforce their knowledge of the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and evidence-based management of acute poisonings commonly encountered in clinical practice. It serves as a crucial study and revision guide for both examinations and emergency department rotations. Review this detailed presentation to enhance your clinical decision-making in toxicological emergencies.