| Theme |
Intoxication of Drugs and Poisons and Blood Purification Therapy (Case Report) |
| Title |
Blood purification for ethanol poisoning (alcoholic intoxication) |
| Author |
Jiro Shimada |
Division of Emergency Care, Takamatsu Red-cross Hospital |
| Author |
Choichiro Tase |
Division of Emergency Care, Fukushima Medical University |
| [ Summary ] |
Ethanol poisoning is acute alcoholism. Most cases of ethanol poisoning do not require treatment and recover without sequelae. However, some cases of ethanol poisoning need treatment. Unconsciousness in terms of rapid ingestion of alcoholic beverages causes the asphyxia due to vomit and the respiratory failure. An inebriated state may induce hypothermia by circumstances. Severe trauma by traffic accidents or falling over is possible for those patients. The basic treatment for such cases with ethanol poisoning is supportive care including careful observation, fluid supplementation, airway management, and body temperature control. A blood purification procedure is rarely used for patients with poisoning by ethanol alone. However, special treatment is necessary, if the patient with ethanol poisoning has taken toxic drugs that may induce an organ failure such a renal failure and can be removed by blood purification. In case with chronic diseases that has been severely aggravated by drinking, may be taken into consideration of indication the blood purification. |