A RAPIDLY FATAL OVERDOSE WITH CIBENZOLINE - FAILURE OF CONVENTIONAL INTENSIVE-CARE MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND: Massive voluntary ingestion of cibenzoline causes major ca rdiotoxicity. We report on two cases where conventional treatments wer e ineffective. CASE REPORTS: Two patients were admitted to the intensi ve care unit of a University Hospital after massive voluntary intoxica tion with cibenzoline. Delay to admission after ingestion of cibenzoli ne was 1.5 and 4 hours. Circulatory impairment developed rapidly in bo th patients due to major atrioventricular and ventricular conduction d isorders. Conventional intensive care procedures (sodium lactate and a drenaline) were performed but only provided temporary and incomplete e fficacy Outcome was fatal in both cases. DISCUSSION: The lethal potent ial of cibenzoline is very high. Extra-corporeal cardiocirculatory ass istance might be an advisable measure ii conventional therapy is unsuc cessful. No clearly defined prognosis factors in cibenzoline intoxicat ions have been reported.