The Potential Therapeutic Role of Hydroxyethyl Starch and Hydrocortisone in Acute Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is a widely used fumigant due to its efficiency as pesticides. It is available as tablets of Celphos, Alphos or Quickphos which are known as rice tablets. Each tablet weights 3 grams and contains 56% ALP and 44% of aluminum carbonate and paraffin. The incidence of ALP poisoning increased steadily specially in developing countries . ALP poisoning is considered to be one of the major causes of suicidal poisoning owing to its wide accessibility and low cost. However, accidental poisoning may occur during occupational exposure. Signs and symptoms of acute AlP poisoning include gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and neurologic (1). Ingestion of ALP causes mild gastrointestinal (GIT) manifestations as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, in addition to chest tightness, hypotension, headache and dizziness. In severe cases, GIT hemorrhage, shock, severe metabolic acidosis, cardiac arrhythmia, convulsions and coma may occur. Later, signs of hepatic damage and renal insufficiency may develop. Death usually occurs in 30-70% of cases within the first 24 hours resulting from refractory cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrhythmia, severe hypotension and metabolic acidosis.The main causes of cardiovascular collapse are increase capillary permeability, insufficient systemic vasoconstriction with low ventricular ejection fraction. On autopsy examinations, point to extravasation of fluid into the third space. The management is exclusively supportive as gastric lavage with KMnO4 solution, treatment of hypotension and acidosis in view of the fact that there is no specific antidote available.