To Study the Effects of Lipid Emulsion on Hemodynamics in Organophosphate Compound Poisoning

Methods A prospective open label pilot study was conducted with an aim to study the safety and effects of 20% lipid emulsion in OP compound poisoning. The objectives were to study the effects on hemodynamic parameters, the effect on morbidity, mortality and the occurrence of adverse events.

All patients, ≥ 13 years, with history of consumption of OP compound and clinical features of mild, moderate or severe OP compound poisoning as per the Peradeniya score (Table 1), admitted to the emergency department during the study period from September 2015 - December 2016 were included after written informed consent. Consent was obtained from the nearest kin if the presentation was with altered mental state. The recruitment began after approval from the institute's ethics committee.

Patients with chronic liver or kidney disease, history of acute or chronic pancreatitis in the past, those with combined poisoning with non OP compounds and asymptomatic patients were not included.

At presentation, detailed history was sought and subjects were examined for signs and symptoms of OP poisoning. Vital parameters (pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate) were noted. Blood samples were drawn for assessing baseline electrolytes, renal functions, haematological parameters and serum amylase. All patients received a single dose of 100mL of 20% lipid emulsion as an intra-venous infusion over 1 hour along with routine treatment as per institution protocols. Atropine was administered to patients by doubling dose method, which comprised of administering atropine starting from 2mg and to double the dose and administer till complete atropinization. Following this an infusion of 10-20 percent of the atropinizing dose was given every hour. In view of the controversial role of pralidoxime, it was not included in the study. The cases were followed up until recovery/death.

The patients were under observation for their vital signs, pupil size, fasciculation, respiratory crackles, amount of oral secretions and, if intubated, tracheal secretion. In addition they underwent monitoring of vital parameters every ten minutes during the course of lipid administration for the first thirty minutes followed by every fifteen minutes during the next 2 hours and every 2nd hourly thereafter.