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Abstract
An 84-year-old woman presented to hospital with severe clinical and metabolic sequelaesequelae of a massive paracetamol overdose (concentration=822 mg/L). In spite of N-acetylcysteine therapy, she deteriorated with evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction. Although the EXtracorporeal TReatments In Poisoning group recommend adjunct haemodialysis (HD) in such a context, this was difficult to start due to haemodynamic instability. Instead, a trial of continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) was initiated in an attempt to restore normal mitochondrial function, normal pH and to actively remove the offending drug. Fortunately, plasma paracetamol levels fell exponentially over the subsequent 24–48 hours without the need to commence HD. The patient made a full recovery and was later discharged from the hospital. This case highlights that CVVHDF can be a reasonable alternative to HD for managing massive paracetamol overdoses in the context of mitochondrial dysfunction.
- paracetamol
- overdose
- haemodialysis
- haemodiafiltration
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Footnotes
Contributors MA, MM and RR gained consent, gathered the clinical information for the case, were involved in the diagnostic process and assisted with the write up of the case. JP critically reviewed the article for intellectual content and assisted with the write up of the case. MA and MM were involved with the conception and design of the manuscript, and review of the literature.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Patient consent for publication Not required.