Vitamin B12 Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vitamin B12, including details on cyanocobalamin, benefits, supplements, deficiency, side-effects, sources.

Successful organ transplantation after treatment of fatal cyanide poisoning with hydroxocobalamin.

Fortin JL, Ruttimann M, Capellier G, Bigorie A, Ferlicot S, Thervet E

Emergency Medical Service of the Paris Fire Brigade,Paris, France. Fortin.jeanluc@wanadoo.fr

BACKGROUND: Cyanide-poisoned patients are potential organ donors provided that organs are not damaged by the poison or by antidotal treatment. CASE STUDY: A patient with third-degree burns and smoke inhalation-associated cyanide poisoning confirmed by measurements of whole blood cyanide was found in cardiac arrest and administered epinephrine and hydroxocobalamin (5 g + 5 g). Cardiac activity resumed, but the patient was declared brain dead on the third day of hospitalization when coma deteriorated to a shock state with refractory hypoxemia. Kidneys, heart, and liver were removed and transplanted into four patients. Gross pre-transplantation inspection of the donor organs and renal histology showed no evidence that hydroxocobalamin caused organ toxicity. Donor organs functioned normally through follow-up periods of several months. CONCLUSION: Anoxic cardiac arrest following acute cyanide poisoning treated with hydroxocobalamin (5 g + 5 g) was not a contraindication to organ transplantation after confirmed encephalic death in this patient.

Published 15 May 2007 in Clin Toxicol (Phila), 45(5): 468-71.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Vitamin B12 Research Today. All Rights Reserved.