Almost died from overdose of blood pressure medication

On the afternoon of April 23, Can Tho Central A-K Hospital announced that its doctors had just saved a patient in critical condition due to an overdose of antihypertensive drugs using ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). This is the first case of an overdose of antihypertensive drugs saved using ECMO at the hospital.

Female patient LHTL (born in 1979, residing in Can Tho City) was transferred to Can Tho General Hospital by the front line in a state of rapid pulse and low blood pressure. Information from the family said that the patient had a history of high blood pressure and was prescribed medication daily. 24 hours before being admitted to the hospital, the patient took 140 Amlodipine 5mg tablets at the same time (a calcium channel blocker drug for treating high blood pressure). After that, the patient felt dizzy, nauseous, and vomited... and was taken to Hau Giang Provincial General Hospital for emergency treatment and then transferred to Can Tho General Hospital.

Doctors are using ECMO to save patient L's life.

At the time of admission, the patient had extremely low blood pressure, required high doses of vasopressors, severe metabolic acidosis, and multiple organ failure; was treated intensively according to a specialized regimen, continuous blood filtration to balance acid-base and stabilize hemodynamics. Despite timely intervention, the patient's condition continued to worsen, with respiratory failure, impaired consciousness, and an indication for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Blood pressure continued to decrease despite the combination of high doses of vasopressors. Faced with refractory shock and a fatal prognosis, the doctors of the Intensive Care and Anti-Poisoning Department decided to perform ECMO, which is considered the last resuscitation measure to save the patient's life.

Currently, patient L's health is stable.

On the 6th day of ECMO, the patient's clinical condition showed signs of improvement. In addition to ECMO, the patient also received plasma exchange, continuous blood filtration, protein infusion, nutrition, etc. Currently, the patient is awake, vital signs are stable, the ventilator has been removed, the endotracheal tube has been removed, and the patient has been transferred to the Department of Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine for treatment and care...

Dr. Duong Thien Phuoc, Head of the Department of Intensive Care and Anti-Poisoning, said that overdose of calcium channel blockers can lead to very serious heart dysfunction. Overdose of calcium channel blockers can cause heart failure, vasodilation, and hyperglycemia. Studies related to the use of ECMO in the treatment of calcium channel blocker poisoning have shown remarkable effectiveness, with a survival rate of 84.6% until discharge from the hospital...

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/suyt-chet-vi-dung-thuoc-ha-huyet-ap-qua-lieu-i766074/