Nitroprusside and Cyanide Toxicity – Part 3
Clinically, patients with cyanide toxicity may exhibit altered mental status, cardiovascular instability, and an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Initially, patients may present with sinus tachycardia that may progress to sinus bradycardia or ventricular dysrhythmias and even asystole.
Patients begin to exhibit restlessness and agitation when the central nervous system is affected. With worsening toxicity, convulsions may occur and can ultimately lead to encephalopathy and coma. With loss of aerobic metabolism, there is an increase in lactate, leading to the anion gap metabolic acidosis.
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