Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27068728›Full record

ArticleBMJ case reports2016

Serum alkalinisation is the cornerstone of treatment for amitriptyline poisoning.

Benjamin Ramasubbu, David James, Andrew Scurr, Euan A Sandilands

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ case reports, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Benjamin RamasubbuIntensive Care Unit, Ealing Hospital, London, UK.
David JamesRegional Drug and Therapeutics Centre, NPIS Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Andrew ScurrIntensive Care Unit, Ealing Hospital, London, UK.
Euan A SandilandsNational Poisons Information Service Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

A 28-year-old woman was admitted in a comatose state following ingestion of 5 g of amitriptyline. On arrival, there was intermittent seizure activity and a broad complex tachycardia on the ECG. Immediate resuscitation included 8 mg lorazepam, 2 L crystalloid fluid, 100 mL 8.4% sodium bicarbonate, 2 g of magnesium sulphate and lipid emulsion infusion. Despite this, the broad complex tachycardia persisted with haemodynamic instability. The case was discussed with the National Poisons Information Service, which advised further 8.4% sodium bicarbonate to achieve serum alkalinisation. Following this, the QRS duration reduced and haemodynamic stability was achieved. Serum alkalinisation continued in the intensive treatment unit before the patient was successfully extubated on day 5 and discharged on day 7 with no neurological sequelae. To our knowledge, this case is the largest recorded overdose of amitriptyline to have survived to discharge. The importance of serum alkalinisation in the management of tricyclic antidepressant poisoning is highlighted.

Indexed as

AdultAmitriptylineAntacidsAntidepressive Agents, TricyclicDrug OverdoseFemaleHumansSodium BicarbonateTachycardiaAmitriptylineAntacidsAntidepressive Agents, TricyclicSodium Bicarbonate

Identifiers

PMID27068728
PMCPMC4840635

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.