Podcast 573:  Arsenic Toxicity

Podcast 573: Arsenic Toxicity

Contributor: Nick Tsipis, MD

Educational Pearls:

  • Arsenic is a heavy metal that binds to multiple cellular enzymes and inhibits aerobic metabolism
  • It is primarily absorbed through the skin, respiratory and GI tract.
  • The classic symptoms of heavy metal exposure are GI irritation (watery diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain) with multisystem organ failure.
  • Neuropathy can present insidiously
  • Initial work up includes EKG, and basic lab work (expect a delayed rise in liver function tests).
  • Acute arsenic ingestions can sometimes show up on imaging as it is radioapaque
  • Diagnosis is usually made with the history and evidence of multisystem organ failure.
  • Treatment should be coordinated with your local Poison Control or toxicologist and involves predominantly supportive care along with chelating agents succimer (oral) or dimercaprol (intramuscular)

References

Long N. Arsenic toxicity • LITFL • Toxicology Library Toxicant. Life in the Fast Lane • LITFL • Medical Blog. https://litfl.com/arsenic-toxicity/. Published August 25, 2019.

Kuivenhoven M, Mason K. Arsenic (Arsine) Toxicity. [Updated 2019 Apr 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541125/



Episoder(1145)

Podcast 994: Biphasic Anaphylaxis

Podcast 994: Biphasic Anaphylaxis

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: What is anaphylaxis and what are its treatments?  Anaphylaxis is a broad term for potentially life threatening allergic reactions that can progress t...

16 Feb 3min

Podcast 993: Personalized Gene Editing Therapy

Podcast 993: Personalized Gene Editing Therapy

Contributor: Alec Coston, MD Educational Pearls: Disclaimer: this has nothing to do with the ER but is too cool to not talk about. Condition: Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency Ra...

9 Feb 6min

Tox Talks 2025 Recap 2, Methemoglobinemia and Errors

Tox Talks 2025 Recap 2, Methemoglobinemia and Errors

Contributors: Travis Barlock MD, Ian Gillman PA, Jacob Altholz MD, Jeffrey Olson MS4 In this episode, EM attending Travis Barlock and medical student Jeffrey Olson listen in to the two remaining cases...

4 Feb 41min

Podcast 992: Fentanyl for Asthma

Podcast 992: Fentanyl for Asthma

Contributor: Alec Coston, MD Educational Pearls: BiPAP is often effective in severe asthma, but many patients struggle with mask tolerance due to intense air hunger–driven anxiety, often compounded ...

2 Feb 4min

Episode 991: BRASH

Episode 991: BRASH

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls BRASH Syndrome: Bradycardia Renal Failure AV Nodal Blockade Shock Hyperkalemia  Clinical Features: Profound bradycardia and shock in pat...

19 Jan 2min

Episode 990: Tramadol, or rather, Trama-don't

Episode 990: Tramadol, or rather, Trama-don't

Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: What is tramadol and how does it work? Tramadol is a Schedule IV opioid analgesic used for moderate pain and is often perceived as safer than other ...

12 Jan 5min

Episode 989: Young Strokes

Episode 989: Young Strokes

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: The Case 24F brought in for anxiety. Patient is tearful, not talking, and potentially hyperventilating. History from boyfriend is that she suddenly ...

5 Jan 3min

Episode 988: Infant Botulism

Episode 988: Infant Botulism

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: A 2025 multistate outbreak of infant botulism has been linked to ByHeart infant formula As of December 10-17th, there have been at least 51 infants ...

29 Des 20252min

Populært innen Vitenskap

fastlegen
tingenes-tilstand
rekommandert
jss
vett-og-vitenskap-med-gaute-einevoll
smart-forklart
rss-nysgjerrige-norge
rss-rekommandert
forskningno
sinnsyn
fjellsportpodden
rss-paradigmepodden
villmarksliv
pod-britannia
nordnorsk-historie
aldring-og-helse-podden
diagnose
tidlose-historier
rss-overskuddsliv
tomprat-med-gunnar-tjomlid