Haemodialysis in Severe Barbiturate Poisoning

Abstract

A series of 15 patients surviving very severe barbiturate poisoning is described. Severe hypothermia developed in eight patients, all of whom had taken short-acting barbiturates. Seven patients had at least one cardiac arrest. A marked rebound phenomenon was observed in four patients who required a second haemodialysis. All patients were treated with forced diuresis and alkalinization in addition to haemodialysis. A method of forced diuresis and alkalinization is described and the importance of early implementation of such a diuresis regime is stressed. An attempt to define strict criteria for laaemodialysis is made. © 1965, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.