J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2012 Dec;23(6):811-818.

Prediction of Systemic Complications from Caustics Ingestion Through Arterial Blood Gas Analysis

• Choi JE
• Kyong YY
• Oh YM
• Choi SM
• Choi KH
• Oh JS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors of systemic complications by caustic substances according to arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA).
METHODS
The medical records of patients who visited our emergency department for caustic ingestion from January 2000 to December 2011 were reviewed. There were 129 patients included in this study, with a mean age of 45.4 years, and 46.9% of the patients were men. We performed a univariate analysis of factors associated with systemic complication and a logistic regression analysis of these predictive factors.
RESULTS
The most frequent caustic ingested was base (53.8%). Systemic complications were found in 29 patients (22.5%) and advanced age, a low partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), low bicarbonate ion (HCO3-), low oxygen saturation (SaO2), high anion gap (AG), acid ingestion, and severe acidosis were associated with systemic complications. Low SaO2, high AG, and severe acidosis were independent predictive factors of systemic complications. ED: HIGHLIGHT: Please spell out HCO3.
CONCLUSION
Parameters of ABGA such as SaO2, AG, and pH predict the development of systemic complications by caustic ingestion. Therefore, these data have a role in the prognosis and treatment of caustic ingestion.

Keyword

Caustics; Blood gas analysis; Risk factors; Complications

MeSH Terms

Acid-Base Equilibrium
Acidosis
Bicarbonates
Blood Gas Analysis
Caustics
Eating
Emergencies
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Logistic Models
Male
Medical Records
Oxygen
Partial Pressure
Prognosis
Risk Factors
Bicarbonates
Caustics
Oxygen