Abstract

HERNANDEZ, Julieth; CONTRERAS ZUNIGA, Eduardo  and  ZULUAGA MARTINEZ, Sandra X. Paraquat poisoning: a case reportParaquat Poisoning: A Case Report. Acta toxicol. argent. [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.1, pp.5-8. ISSN 1851-3743.

Paraquat is the best-selling herbicide throughout the world, It is absorbed by the digestive and inhalatory routes. If it reaches the lungs, congestion with swelling is developed, increased alveolar macrophages that progresses to fibrosis and pulmonary edema, which occur until 14 days after exposure if not treated timely and correct. Paraquat is directed primarily to the lungs and therefore generates free radicals oxidants, which is why, in cases of acute poisoning is absolutely forbidden to use oxygen except where arterial blood partial pressure of oxygen in is less than 50 mm Hg. A patient who developed an adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to deliberate ingestion of paraquat is presented. Initial patient management was performed with gastric lavage and land Fuller in aqueous solution at 30%. Subsequently developing pulmonary and renal failure were handled with cyclophosphamide pulse of 15 mg / kg / day for 2 days, methylprednisolone 1g/día for 3 days, then dexamethasone 5 mg IV every 6 hours for 5 days, with favourable outcome.

Keywords : Paraquat; Intoxication; Adult distress respiratory syndrome.

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