Hospital treatment of victims exposed to combustion products

Abstract

Combustion toxicology is complex so, although victims exposed to combustion products are mainly treated symptomatically, it is important to identify those situations when specific therapeutic measures might be of importance. Victims presenting respiratory symptoms including severe cough, bronchoconstriction, hypoxia and respiratory distress should be given oxygen and ventilatory assistance or support. Furthermore, bronchoconstriction should be treated with bronchodilators (beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists, theophylline). Corticosteroids should be considered both for inhalation and systemically due to the risk of developing toxic pulmonary oedema that may appear after a symptom-free interval that might last up to 48–72 h. Victims with impaired consciousness should be regarded as being exposed to carbon monoxide and cyanides. Apart from oxygen and optimal symptomatic treatment hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be considered in carbon monoxide poisoning. Certain cyanide antidotes, namely those with low intrinsic toxicity (as sodium thiosulphate, hydroxocobalamin) should be given liberally in these situations. Other specific therapeutic measures that might be considered when appropriate are administration of organophosphate antidotes (atropine, oximes), heavy metal chelators (e.g. dimercaptopropane sulfonate, dimercaptosuccinic acid) and methemoglobinemia antidotes (methylthionine, toluidine blue). Inhalation of hot fumes may cause upper respiratory tract oedema (e.g. laryngeal oedema) necessitating orotracheal intubation and ventilatory support.