EVALUATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DRUG POISONINGS REPORTED TO THE DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITY DRUG AND POISON INFORMATION CENTER BETWEEN 2014 AND 2017

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to reveal the demographic features, exposure routes and reasonsfor exposure, clinical effects and outcomes of cardiovascular drug poisonings reported to the Dokuz EylulUniversity Drug and Poison Information Center (DEUDPIC) between January 2014 and December 2017.Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was approved by the NoninvasiveResearch Ethics Committee of Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine. All data were recorded onstandard data forms and then transferred to a software (Ruber, written by Engin Yildiztepe, 2007) for dataanalysis.Results: There were 43 poisonings cases were reported with cardiovascular drugs. Female cases werecommon (60.47%). Half of the poisoning cases were toxic (51.16%). The most common reason ofpoisonings was intentional (81.40%). All of cases between 13-49 age group were intentional exposures.Only single substance intakes were responsible for the most of the drug exposures (62.79%). The mostcommon agents were beta-blockers (29.85%), medicines that affect the renin-angiotensin system (23.88%), calcium channel blockers (11.94%) and cardiac therapy drugs such as digoxin (11.94%). Clinicalsigns and symptoms were classified as asymptomatic (37.21%), mild (23.26%), moderate (23.26%), andsevere (4.65%). Recommended treatments were observation and supportive care (46.67%),decontamination methods (44.00%) and antidote therapy (2.67%). One fatality was reported.Conclusions: We suggest that determination of the epidemiological characteristics of cardiovasculardrug exposures in our country through prospectively multi-centered studies may provide significantcontributions to prevent poisonings and decrease the mortality and morbidity of the cases.