Hydrogen sulfide poisoning: management and complications

Angiology. 1995 Dec;46(12):1123-31. doi: 10.1177/000331979504601208.

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide poisoning is a rare but devastating injury. Four of 8 cases of toxic inhalation of hydrogen sulfide are presented with special attention to the life-threatening complications. Four patients died at the scene of the accident and the remaining 4 had been hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). One patient died in the hospital from cardiogenic pulmonary edema and circulatory failure (pulmonary wedge pressure > 30 mmHg) and 3 patients left the hospital in good health although they presented serious complications. One of them left the hospital with a temporary pacemaker, and 1 of the 2 others died after two months owing to myocardial infarction. The authors discuss in detail the clinical features of this condition and emphasize the need for urgent and appropriate therapy as well as the need for safe environmental conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Electrocardiography / drug effects
  • Emergencies
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / pathology
  • Occupational Diseases / therapy
  • Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Poisoning / etiology
  • Poisoning / pathology
  • Poisoning / therapy
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / pathology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / therapy
  • Sanitary Engineering

Substances

  • Hydrogen Sulfide