Tricyclic antidepressant overdose necessitating ICU admission.

Coenraad F N Koegelenberg, Zirkia J Joubert, Elvis M Irusen

Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Academic Hospital. coeniefn@sun.ac.za.

South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde 2012 May

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Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose necessitating intensive care unit (ICU) admission remains a significant problem in the Western Cape. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the course of life-threatening TCA overdose in our centre to identify potential prognostic indicators. TCA levels >1000 ng/ml were associated with QT and QRS prolongation and convulsions. However, no single parameter predicted non-survival. The overall mortality of TCA overdose was very low. Our findings should encourage clinicians to offer medical care including ICU admission, if necessary, to patients with TCA overdose.

Citation

Coenraad F N Koegelenberg, Zirkia J Joubert, Elvis M Irusen. Tricyclic antidepressant overdose necessitating ICU admission. South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde. 2012 May;102(5):293-4

PMID: 22554335

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