Archives of Health Science and Research
Original Articles

Suicidal Cardiovascular Drug Intoxication in Emergency Department

1.

Emergency Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

2.

Emergency Medicine, Bakırkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

3.

Emergency Medicine, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Arch Health Sci Res 2015; 2: 329-333
DOI: 10.17681/hsp.41599
Read: 3163 Downloads: 862 Published: 18 December 2019

Objectives: As elderly population in Turkey increases, patients using cardiovascular drugs increases. Access to these drugs for suicide attempt gets easier due to common use. Aim of the study is to evaluate the results of intoxication with cardiovascular drugs. Methods: Data of 1399 patients admitted to two level 1 hospital emergency departments for drug intoxication were reviewed from July 2009 to March 2014 retrospectively. Cardiovascular drug intoxication was diagnosed in 81 patients. Results: The average age of 1318 patients with other drug intoxication was 25.9± 10.8 years (72,9% female, 27,1% male); the average age of 81 patients (72,8% female, 27,2% male) with cardiovascular drug toxicity was 27,3± 13,6 years. Ten different group cardiovascular drugs were taken. The most common cardiovascular drug (39.5%) was found ACEI group. Beta blocker intoxication was 37%. Most of the patients required supportive treatment. Average length of stay was 16,6±10,6 h (range: 2–48 h). One patient died from cardiogenic shock due to beta blocker toxicity. Conclusion: Our study shows an increase in suicidal ACE inhibitor and beta blocker intoxication in cardiovascular drugs. All drug intoxications are more common between 18:00 and 02:00 o’clock. Seasonal distribution of suicide attempts showed a peak incidence in fall. Especially in young intoxication patients, physicians should take detailed information about the use of cardiovascular drugs by family members to rule out possible cardiovascular drug intoxication.

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