Cocaine is a highly addictive substance. Its poisoning can lead to potentially fatal multi-organ dysfunction. We report a case of cocaine overdose with severe multi-organ dysfunction. A healthy 51-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room due to behaviour changes and seizure after inhaling crack. Multiple dysfunctions were developed, with emphasis on liver and kidney dysfunction, due to their severity. The patient had marked hepatic cytolysis with a peak on the third day with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 7941 and 4453 IU/L, respectively with mild coagulopathy and hyperbilirubinemia. Underwent empirical treatment with acetylcysteine with good clinical response. Also developed anuric AKIN3 acute kidney injury secondary to rhabdomyolysis, requiring treatment with intermittent haemodialysis. The approach to a case with severe multiorgan dysfunction is described, with special emphasis on the use of acetylcysteine. The good evolution of the patient can corroborate the use of this drug as a potential modifier of prognosis.
Keywords: acetylcysteine; acute kidney failure; cocaine toxicity; crack-cocaine; toxic hepatitis.
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