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Copyright © All rights are reserved by Juan F Martin Lazaro.
Global Journal of Anesthesia &
Pain Medicine
Case Report
Detox - Haemofiltration for The Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome
Juan F Martin Lazaro
1
*, Marc Brown
1
, Emily Gould
1
, Johann Grundlingh
1
, Michal Brys Ieva Norkiene
1
, Joaquim
Cevallos
1
, James Napier
1
, Khyati Lad
2
and Jacek Jablonski
3
1
Intensive Care Unit. Newham University Hospital, UK
2
Pharmacy Department, Newham University Hospital, UK.
3
Beloit Memorial Hospital, USA
*Corresponding author: Juan F Martin Lazaro, Intensive Care Unit, Newham University Hospital, London, UK
Received: April 04, 2019 Published: April 23, 2019
Introduction
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a medical
emergency, made more difficult by the lack of any diagnostic
investigations, making it an entirely clinical diagnosis. Four criteria
are used as parameters for a likely diagnosis: a change in mental
status, a muscle rigidity (lead-pipe type), hyperthermia and signs
of autonomic instability. TOXBASE guidelines state that in cases
of suspected poisoning, activated charcoal may be used within
1 hour of ingestion; However, in cases like this where the patient
is late in presentation, options are more limited. To our current
knowledge, there is no specific antidote, and recommended therapy
is supportive only. A few case reports have suggested the use of
CVVH, peritoneal dialysis, and haemodialysis. In the absence of any
diagnostic tests, we felt it was prudent to initiate renal replacement
therapy in an attempt to filter any precipitating substances, without
waiting for the development of further symptoms. Here we discuss
the use of albumin enhanced continuous renal replacement therapy
to treat a likely neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Case Report
A 60-year-old male presented to the Accident and Emergency
Department with reduced conscious level, diarrhoea and vomiting.
The patient had ingested an unknown powder sent from Nigeria
two days before presentation, for use as a treatment for his recently
diagnosed Hepatitis B infection. Other past medical history includes
type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia,
treated with metformin, gliclazide, ramipril and atorvastatin
respectively. The patient’s wife subsequently gave a collateral
history, explaining that the patient had taken the unknown substance
from Nigeria, knowing that it would make him very unwell for 3
days. She called for the ambulance on the 2
nd
day due to his reduced
conscious level and vomiting. Upon initial assessment, respiratory
rate was 35/min, heart rate 115/min, blood pressure 100/60mHg
and temperature of 39oC. On auscultation he had crackles at both
lung bases, a finding consistent with a chest x ray that demonstrated
bilateral infiltrates, suggestive of either bronchoaspiration or
Abstract
Removal of serum toxins using haemofiltration with human albumin has been demonstrated to be a useful option for the
treatment of a patient following the ingestion of unknown substance. Here, a case is described in which a patient presented with
symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome after ingesting an unknown Nigerian herbal remedy. Albumin enhanced continuous
veno-venous haemodialysis has been previously used for intoxications. When combining continuous renal replacement therapy
with albumin, the toxins are bound to the larger molecule which prevents the toxins moving through the filter; allowing for clearance
from the blood. We suggest that Intensive Care Units should consider basic tools, such as detox haemofiltration when an unknown
poison is suspected.
DOI: 10.32474/GJAPM.2019.01.000111
ISSN: 2644-1403