Nerve agents

Abstract

Nerve agents produce neuromuscular blockade and convulsions in exposed humans. Military personnel in areas of potential exposure take prophylactic pyridostigmine. They are instructed to self-administer atropine and pralidoxime at the first sign of nerve agent toxicity. The key to treatment of nerve agent poisoning is the administration of atropine in doses larger than is customary in most other disorders, repeated as often as needed. Mechanical ventilation may be required. Convulsions are treated with diazepam, but only after atropine has been administered.

Treatment of Neuroterrorism

“…After a large exposure to vapor, all symptoms of a small exposure are more prominent, and the CNS is affected. CNS symptoms range from irritability to convulsions and coma [102]. Nicotinic symptoms include weakness of skeletal muscles, fasciculations (localized in areas where droplets penetrated skin, generalized with respiratory or large transdermal exposures [102]), and paralysis.…”

“…CNS symptoms range from irritability to convulsions and coma [102]. Nicotinic symptoms include weakness of skeletal muscles, fasciculations (localized in areas where droplets penetrated skin, generalized with respiratory or large transdermal exposures [102]), and paralysis. Muscarinic symptoms include profuse exocrine secretions (tearing, rhinorrhea, salivation, bronchorrhea, and sweating), in addition to ophthalmic symptoms, such as miosis, dim vision, headache, and eye pain.…”

“…The oximes affect nicotinic sites; there is no clinical effect at muscarinic sites, and available oximes do not cross the blood brain barrier. Pralidoxime is the compound most frequently used in a dosing of 1 to 2 mg in 100 cc normal saline for 15 to 30 minutes, followed by a second dose after an hour if paralysis persists [102]. In critically ill patients, a pralidoxime infusion at 7.5 mg/kg/h is safe [107].…”

Intoxicación por plaguicidas

“…Algunos de ellos (soman, sarin, tabun) han sido utilizados como gases de guerra y se denominan gases nerviosos por ser ésta la diana fundamental de su acción 16,17 .…”

Pathways for the oxidation of sarin in urban atmospheres

“…The enormous variety of urban oxidants and organics, from both the gas and particulate phases, can serve as reaction partners along the destruction sequences (Finlayson Pitts and Pitts, 1997). To illustrate the scope of these issues, we have elected here to elucidate degradation pathways for the nerve agent sarin, also known as GB (Harris et al, 1982;Gunderson et al, 1992). Sarin is selected for numerous reasons:…”