Paraquat Poisoning: Survival after Oral Ingestion

Abstract

A 52-year-old caucasian male farmer from Walterboro, South Carolina presented to the Medical University of South Carolina Health-University Medical Center in August, one hour after ingestion of 20 oz of a 50/50 water/paraquat preparation, with suicidal intent, complaining of nausea and emesis of blue colored fluid. His vital signs were normal on admission other than an increased blood pressure of 159/92 mmHg. Upon presentation, physical examination was within normal limits. Plasma levels of paraquat were obtained and the patient underwent gastrointestinal evacuation via nasogastric tube and was given 50 grams of activated charcoal along with sorbitol. The patient was then transferred to the academic medical center's medical intensive care unit for further care.