Open AccessExtensive Bowel Ischaemia after Nifedipine Overdose
Author(s) -
Lee HKH,
Chan YC,
Lau FL
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791001700408
Subject(s) - medicine , nifedipine , anesthesia , vomiting , calcium channel blocker , ischemia , bowel obstruction , refractory (planetary science) , shock (circulatory) , diltiazem , surgery , calcium , cardiology , physics , astrobiology
A 57‐year‐old woman presented with abdominal distension and vomiting two days after overdosing an unknown amount of sustained‐release nifedipine tablets. She had refractory shock requiring calcium chloride, glucagon, insulin‐glucose and multiple high‐dose inotropic agent infusions in the intensive care unit. Her abdominal computed tomography showed features of bowel ischaemia and exploratory laporotomy reviewed non‐salvageable massive bowel ischaemia. She finally succumbed after 22 days of hospital treatment. This case illustrates the importance of awareness of this potentially fatal complication of calcium channel blocker overdose, requiring early recognition and intervention.