Acute copper poisoning by suicidal attempt

Czech version

Authors: O. Hloch; J. Charvát
Authors‘ workplace: Interní klinika 2. lékařské fakulty UK a FN Motol Praha, přednosta prof. MUDr. Milan Kvapil CSc., MBA
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2012; 58(4): 325-328
Category: Case Reports

Overview

Voluntary copper poisoning is a rare mode of suicide. We report a case of patient admitted to Metabolic Intensive Care Unit who took fatal dose of copper oxichloride. In his clinical picture dominated gastrointestinal dicomfort with the profused diarrhoea leading to the excessive fluids loss exceeding 10 liters over 24 hours. The renal and liver damages typical for copper intoxication were prevented due to the early intensive treatment (2 hours after ingestion of copper oxichlorid) including the application of copper chelator Succicaptal.

Key words:
copper poisoning – treatment by chelator agent

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