Cyanide poisoning after bitter almond ingestion: "A rare case report"

Abstract

We present a case of a 36-year-old woman with a history of three suicide attempts who had ingested approximately 40 bitter almonds in a suicidal act, leading to her admission to the emergency department of a regional hospital due to complaints of vomiting. Upon arrival, she exhibited confusion, and her vital signs were recorded as follows: pulse rate = 117 beats/min, blood pressure = 160/85 mmHg, oxygen saturation = 95, respiratory rate = 16, temperature = 37 degrees C. The patient venous blood gas analysis manifested severe metabolic acidosis (pH = 6.92, pO(2) = 43 mmHg, HCO3 = 8.6 mmol/L, pCO(2) = 42.7 mmHg, base excess = -25.9 mmol/L). Four hours later, she became unconscious and she was intubated. Gastric lavage and a single dose of 60 g of activated charcoal and sodium bicarbonate were administered. In the referral hospital, sodium nitrite was given due to the severity of the poisoning, and norepinephrine infusion was initiated to manage hypotension. Within a day, the patient regained consciousness, underwent extubation, and after 72 h was discharged and subsequently transferred to psychiatric care for further treatment. This case underscores the critical, life-threatening implications of cyanide toxicity following the ingestion of bitter almonds, highlighting the efficacy of supportive measures such as gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and sodium bicarbonate. Furthermore, it emphasizes the successful application of sodium nitrite monotherapy in managing this condition.