Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity Follow-up
- Author: Sujal Mandavia, MD, FRCP(C), FACEP; Chief Editor: Asim Tarabar, MD more...
Further Inpatient Care
- Admit the patient to the ICU for any significant exposure (ie, other than chronic low-level exposure with mucous membrane irritation).
- Consider hyperbaric oxygen for patients who are unresponsive to intravenous nitrites or who have delayed neurologic sequelae.
- Perform a secondary survey to rule out traumatic injuries (7% of victims).
- If possible, consult with or admit the patient to a medical toxicologist.
Transfer
- Transfer the patient if hyperbaric treatment is required but unavailable at the present facility.
Complications
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae
Prognosis
- Occurrence of long-term neurologic sequelae from hydrogen sulfide exposure is unknown but appears to be linked to longer sublethal exposures.
- Paradoxically, high-concentration exposures of hydrogen sulfide may have no long-term effects.
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