Further Outpatient Care
Monitor the patient for signs of chronic arsenic toxicity.
Further Inpatient Care
See the list below:
-
All patients who have suspected arsine exposure should be carefully observed for 24 hours.
-
Monitor renal function; initiate hemodialysis as necessary for acute renal failure.
-
Monitor hemoglobin levels; perform transfusions to maintain oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Inpatient & Outpatient Medications
Chelating agents (eg, BAL) may be used to treat chronic arsenic toxicity. [19] Chronic arsenic toxicity from arsine exposure is treated no differently than exposure from other sources. See Arsenic Toxicity for more information.
Deterrence/Prevention
Train workers in high-risk industries to avoid toxic arsine exposures. Screen workers in the same environment as those persons already exposed to acute arsine poison.
Complications
Possible complications include the following:
-
Death – Overwhelming exposures cause rapid death from massive hemolysis; in those who survive acute exposures, most deaths occur from renal failure.
-
Chronic arsenic toxicity – Patients who survive acute arsine exposure may develop chronic arsenic toxicity, including anemia and peripheral neuropathy.
Prognosis
Patients who reach medical attention should survive with supportive medical care. Historically, patients who developed renal failure had 100% mortality. More recent (but still dated) studies report a mortality rate from arsine poisoning of approximately 25%.
Patient Education
For patient education information, see the First Aid and Injuries Center, as well as Chemical Warfare and Personal Protective Equipment.
