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Query: UMLS:C0027497 (nausea)
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Such hygroscopic compounds as LiCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 are used to improve water retention capacity and, as a consequence, the effectiveness of heat and moisture exchangers (HME). Resorption of these substances via the bronchopulmonary tract and a resulting systemic action cannot be excluded, especially if additional active moisturizing devices are used. The narrow therapeutic range of lithium is known, as are its unwanted side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, somnolence and even cardiac arrhythmia. These are symptoms that also frequently occur during anaesthesia and intensive care, so that differentiation against effects of lithium is nearly impossible. We investigated whether, in theory and in practice, LiCl-coated HME could result in effective Li plasma concentrations. We measured (1) total LiCl content of HMEs, (2) release of this content, simulating the worst-case situation with a breathing model, and (3) lithium plasma concentrations of adult patients being ventilated during anaesthesia with a rebreathing circuit and LiCl-coated HME, but with no additional active moisturizing system incorporated. RESULTS. The results show striking differences with LiCl content ranging from 3 to 251 mg varying not only between different types of HME but also within the same lots. After 20 min of ventilation more than 90% of the LiCl coating was rinsed into the test lung of the breathing model. In practical use, we observed an increase in lithium plasma concentration in 3 of 20 investigated patients. The plasma values of maximum 49.5 micrograms/l (= 0.007 mmol/l) do not amount to potentially toxic concentrations. Nevertheless, clinically relevant concentrations might occur in patients with small distribution volumes, e.g. newborns or infants with frequent exposition within short intervals such as in intensive care units. The differences in lithium content also indicate qualitative differences in water retention capacity. Because of the potential side effects of lithium, we prefer qualitatively equivalent HMEs, e.g., with MgCl2 or CaCl2 as hygroscopic substance.
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PMID:[Is the lithium chloride-coated heat and moisture exchanger a danger for patients?]. 131 37

Potassium is one of the most abundant ions in the human body and yet it is difficult to assess potassium balance. Potassium chloride is extensively used as a potassium supplement, both by physicians as a therapeutic modality and by the general public, mostly in the form of salt substitute. Therapeutically, both the oral and intravenous forms of potassium are utilised. Overdose of potassium is not as frequently encountered in clinical practice as hyperkalaemia (excess potassium in the body) due to acute or chronic renal disease. Potassium homeostasis is maintained very delicately and is governed by the daily consumption of potassium and the renal excretion mechanisms. Any change in these or related factors can present as hyperkalaemia. However, potassium overdoses leading to serious consequences do occur. Orally, the dose of potassium has to be large enough so that the normal excretory mechanisms for potassium are overcome and clinical toxicity occurs. It takes a much bigger dose of ingested potassium to produce toxicity in a person with normal renal function than in patients with compromised renal function. Potassium toxicity manifests in significant, characteristic, acute cardiovascular changes with ECG abnormalities. Besides cardiovascular effects, neuromuscular manifestations in the form of general muscular weakness and ascending paralysis occur. Gastrointestinal symptoms manifest as nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, and local mucosal necrosis which may lead to perforation. It is imperative when treating hyperkalaemia that the whole clinical picture is taken into account rather than the numerical potassium values. Only the extracellular potassium can be measured in the laboratory, yet 98% of the body potassium is intracellular and cannot be measured. In acute overdose situations due to ingestion of potassium salt, the general principles of treatment for overdoses should be followed. Calcium chloride infusion, dextrose and insulin in water, and correction of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate are helpful in controlling the acute, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. These modalities do not remove the excess potassium from the body. That is achieved either by utilising ion-exchange resins or by mechanically removing potassium via haemodialysis. To curtail inadvertent or accidental potassium overdoses, physicians should prescribe any potassium supplements very carefully to their patients and monitor the plasma potassium periodically.
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PMID:Clinical features and management of poisoning due to potassium chloride. 268 36