Assessment of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion as an Adjuvant Therapy in Acute Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning: A randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is efficient rodenticide and insecticide. The increased incidence of acute ALP poisoning and its high mortality is a challenge for health professionals, there is no specific antidote and the treatment is mainly supportive. Aim of the work: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous lipid emulsion as an adjuvant therapy for acute ALP poisoning. Patients and methods: The present study was carried out on fifty patients with acute ALP poisoning admitted at Poison Control Unit, Tanta University Emergency Hospital, throughout a period from the start of December 2016 till November 2017. The study participants were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups (25 patients each): The experimental group (received ILE 20% at a rate of 10ml/h IV infusion plus the conventional treatment of ALP poisoning), and the control group (received the conventional treatment only). Results: The number of deaths in the experimental group was lower than the control group, but it did not reach a significant level. The need for intubation and mechanical ventilation was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The administration of ILE 20% in acute ALP poisoning at a rate of 10ml/h IV infusion is a safe therapy. Moreover, the adjuvant ILE use along with the conventional supportive treatment could have a therapeutic effect in ALP poisoned patients.