The diagnosis and treatment of acute acrylonitrile poisoning: A clinical study of 144 cases

An analysis of clinical manifestations and emergency treatment of 144 cases of acute acrylonitrile (ACN) poisoning is reported in this article. It is suggested that the acute poisoning induced by inhalation of ACN at high concentrations for a short duration primarily impairs the central nervous system (CNS), and inhalation of ACN at medium concentrations but for a longer period leads to damage to the liver tissues besides the CNS. In severely poisoned victims, the cardiac muscles may be damaged and in the blood levels glutathione (GSH) is decreased. The rational administration of antidotes including the methemoglobin-producing agent (MHbPA), and the sulfur-providing agent (SPA) is the key to the success of emergency treatment and thus the early recovery of the victims.