Browsing by Author "Paris, Enrique"

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    Acute respiratory distress syndrome resulting from inhalation of powdered copper
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2007) Donoso, Alejandro; Cruces, Pablo; Camacho, Jorge; Rios, Juan Carlos; Paris, Enrique; Mieres, Juan Jose
    Background. Copper is an essential element. Poisoning with elemental copper is infrequent and manifestations rarely include the ones that our case presented. Case report. A previously healthy 2-year-old female patient unintentionally inhaled copper dust, developed respiratory failure a few hours later, and required mechanical ventilation. On hospital day three, the patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and was treated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for six days. She also developed hemolytic anemia, liver failure, oliguric renal failure, and evidence of acute tubular injury. During her stay in the intensive care unit she received inotropic support, packed red cells transfusion, and diuretics. A sample of bronchoalveolar lavage showed macrophages that stained positive for copper. Serum and urine copper concentrations were within the normal range after several days. Extubation was successfully achieved after two weeks and the patient was discharged on day 30 without sequelae. This is the first report of acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to copper aspiration in a pediatric patient. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to elemental copper aspiration. It is important to the clinician to be aware of acute respiratory distress syndrome as a differential diagnosis to copper aspiration by treating the patient aggressively in an adequate clinical setting.
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    Characterization of paracetamol overdose. Report of a poison information center in Chile
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2012) Bravo, Victoria; Roman, Matias; Bettini, Marli; Cerda, Patricia; Jose Mieres, Juan; Paris, Enrique; Carlos Rios, Juan
    Background: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug widely used across the world. Its ingestion is one of the most common causes of drug overdose. In the United States is the first cause of acute hepatitis in adults. Aim: To describe the epidemiological profile of paracetamol overdose in Chile. Material and Methods: Cross sectional retrospective study that included all the phone call inquiries received at the Poison Control Center of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (CITUC) during 2009. Results: Nine hundred fifty nine inquiries involving acute paracetamol exposures were received. Women represented a 63.1% of the cases. Half of the cases were suicide attempts, of which 74.8% were women. Accidental exposures occurred mainly in children. In 29.3% of the patients, the exposure was considered to involve a hepatotoxic dose. Women had 2.7 times the risk of men to ingest a toxic dose of paracetamol with suicidal purpose (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1-3.6; p < 0.001). Adolescents had 3.4 times the risk of the general consultants (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 2.4-4.7; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Paracetamol overdose is common in Chile. Authorities should carry out preventive measures. Antidotes and the capacity to measure plasma levels of paracetamol should be available in healthcare centers. (Rev Med Chile 2012; 140: 313-318).
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    Characterization of pesticide exposures reported between 2006 and 2013 to a poison information center in Chile
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2015) Gutierrez, Waldo; Cerda, Patricia; Cristian Plaza Pla Za, Jose; Jose Mieres, Juan; Paris, Enrique; Carlos Rios, Juan
    Background: Pesticides are widely used to increase crop yields and vector control. However, both acute and chronic exposure have health consequences. There is paucity of information about the global occurrence of pesticide poisonings. Aim: To characterize the reports of pesticide exposures received by a University Poison Information Center. Material and Methods: All pesticide exposures reported in Chile between 2006 and 2013 were analyzed. A data-collection sheet provided by the International Programme on Chemical Safety of the World Health Organization, was used to collect information. Results: In the study period, 13,181 reports were analyzed. The main age groups exposed were preschoolers and adults. Sixty one percent of exposures occurred accidentally and 24.8% were suicide attempts. Exposures to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors was reported in 29.3% of cases, to superwarfarin rodenticides in 28.5% and to pyrethroids in 24.0%. An increased risk of suicide attempts with pesticides was observed among women, when compared with men (odds ratio: 1.5; 95% confidence intervals: 1.4-1.6; p < 0.001). The risk was higher among teenage girls. Conclusions: The amount of cases under acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor exposure, the most toxic pesticides currently in use should be highlighted. Workers should be educated and all cases should be reported to take actions aiming at reducing these events.