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.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.