Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for severe chloroquine intoxication in a child – a case report

Abstract Background Chloroquine use has increased worldwide recently in the setting of experimental treatment for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Nevertheless, in case of chloroquine intoxication, it can be life threatening, with cardiac arrest, due to its cardiac toxicity. Case presentati...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Thomas Ferry, Vivianne Amiet, Julia Natterer, Marie-Hélène Perez, Raymond Pfister, Sébastien Colombier, David Longchamp
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-03-01
Series:Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00850-0
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Chloroquine use has increased worldwide recently in the setting of experimental treatment for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Nevertheless, in case of chloroquine intoxication, it can be life threatening, with cardiac arrest, due to its cardiac toxicity. Case presentation This case study reports on a 14-years-old girl who presented in cardiac arrest after an uncommon suicide attempt by ingesting 3 g of chloroquine. After 66 min of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) was initiated, allowing cardiac function to recover. Conclusions Chloroquine intoxication is a rare but serious condition due to its cardiac toxicity. Use of ECPR in this case of transient toxicity allowed a favorable evolution with little neurological impairment.
ISSN:1757-7241