Outcome after hydrogen sulphide intoxication

Eline A Q Mooyaart; Egbert L G Gelderman; Maarten W Nijsten; Ronald de Vos; J Manfred Hirner; Dylan W de Lange; Henri D G Leuvenink; Walter M van den Bergh

doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.03.012

Outcome after hydrogen sulphide intoxication

Resuscitation. 2016 Jun:103:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.03.012. Epub 2016 Mar 18.

Authors

Eline A Q Mooyaart¹, Egbert L G Gelderman¹, Maarten W Nijsten², Ronald de Vos³, J Manfred Hirner³, Dylan W de Lange⁴, Henri D G Leuvenink⁵, Walter M van den Bergh⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
² Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Mobile Medical Team, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Intensive Care Medicine and National Poison Information Center (NPIC), University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
⁵ Surgical Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.m.van.den.bergh@umcg.nl.

PMID: 26997477
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.03.012

Abstract

Aim: Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) intoxication in man is frequently associated with a fatal outcome. In small animal models hydrogen sulphide has demonstrated profound protection against hypoxia. No reports that focus on a potential protective effect in humans have been published.

Methods: The frequency and outcome of a large cohort of hydrogen sulphide intoxications is described.

Results: From 1980 until 2013, 35 accidents totalling 56 victims occurred of whom at least 24 (43%) survived. Of the 8 patients with documented cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the scene, 6 (75%) survived. In some of these cases with good outcome the exposure time to very high hydrogen sulphide levels before extraction and resuscitation was more than 45min.

Conclusion: Manure related hydrogen sulphide intoxication is associated with a high mortality, although in some cases, recovery appears to be far more favourable than the initial presentation would suggest. Possibly protection from hypoxic injury due to induction of a suspended animation-like state by hydrogen sulphide may be responsible.

Keywords: Gasotransmitter; Hibernation; Hydrogen sulfide intoxication; Hydrogen sulphide; Hypometabolism; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Animals
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / mortality
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / statistics & numerical data
Child
Child, Preschool
Farmers
Female
Humans
Hydrogen Sulfide / poisoning*
Hypoxia / prevention & control
Male
Manure*
Mice
Middle Aged
Netherlands / epidemiology
Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest / mortality*

Substances

Manure
Hydrogen Sulfide