Acute Self‐Poisoning with Tricyclic Antidepressants in 295 Consecutive Patients Treated in an ICU

Abstract
Clinical findings on admission to hospital and outcome in 295 consecutive patients with severe tricyclic antidepressant self-poisoning treated in an ICU [intensive care unit] are presented. Cerebral depression was observed in 92%, convulsions in 23% and respiratory failure was present in 72%. Cardiovascular function was impaired in 44% and an abnormal ECG was found in 57%. Cardiac arrest was treated in 14 patients (6%) of whom 7 were resuscitated. The mortality rate was 2%. All patients were artifically ventilated. A beneficial effect of respiratory alkalosis on cardiac arrhythmias is supported.