Abstract
A patient with glufosinate poisoning followed by delayed arrest of respiration and unconsciousness was successfully treated with hemodialysis, direct hemoperfusion and ventilatory support. The patient was a 47-year-old female. On November 27, she took about 100ml of Glufosinate (Basta®) in a suicide attempt. Shortly thereafter, she was admitted to the nearest hospital and treated with gastric lavage. The next day she was transferred to Shinbashi Hospital. On arrival, she was in a semicomatose state and had a slight respiratory disturbance. Shortly after arrival, however, she stopped breathing, necessitating endotracheal intubation, and was placed on controlled respiration. Hemodialysis and direct hemoperfusion were performed four times, over a total of 16 hours, to remove glufosinate. Her consciousness became clear on the 4th hospital day and she was discharged on the 10th day. Transient paralytic ileus was recognized.
In conclusion, we must consider the possibility of delayed respiratory failure or unconsciousness and observe the clinical course of the patient for at least 1 or 2 days after glufosinate ingestion.
