Evaluation of Cardiovascular Drug Poisonings Reported to the Dokuz Eylul University Drug and Poison Information Center Between 2014 and 2017

Abstract

The purpose of our study is to reveal the demographic features, exposure routes and reasons for exposure, clinical effects and outcomes of cardiovascular drug poisonings reported to the Dokuz Eylul University Drug and Poison Information Center (DEUDPIC) between January 2014 and December 2017. Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was approved by the Noninvasive Research Ethics Committee of Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine. All data were recorded on standard data forms and then transferred to a software (Ruber, written by Engin Yildiztepe, 2007) for data analysis. Results: There were 43 poisonings cases were reported with cardiovascular drugs. Female cases were common (60.47%). Half of the poisoning cases were toxic (51.16%). The most common reason of poisonings was intentional (81.40%). All of cases between 13-49 age group were intentional exposures. Only single substance intakes were responsible for the most of the drug exposures (62.79%). The most common agents were beta-blockers (29.85%), medicines that affect the renin-angiotensin system (23.88 %), calcium channel blockers (11.94%) and cardiac therapy drugs such as digoxin (11.94%). Clinical signs and symptoms were classified as asymptomatic (37.21%), mild (23.26%), moderate (23.26%), and severe (4.65%). Recommended treatments were observation and supportive care (46.67%), decontamination methods (44.00%) and antidote therapy (2.67%). One fatality was reported. Conclusions: We suggest that determination of the epidemiological characteristics of cardiovascular drug exposures in our country through prospectively multi-centered studies may provide significant contributions to prevent poisonings and decrease the mortality and morbidity of the cases.