Benefit of hemodialysis in carbamazepine intoxications with neurological complications in the foreground

A. Özhasenekler, S. Gökhan*, C. Güloglu, M. Orak, M. Üstündag

Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dicle, Diyarbakar (Turkey)
*Emergency Service, Diyarbakar Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakar (Turkey)

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• Emergency Medicine

Aim: It is aimed to share the fact that hemodialysis is also useful in carbamazepine intoxications with prominent neurological side effects in cases hemoperfusion is not available.
Patients and Methods: Files of 49 patients presenting our Emergency Room with a prediagnosis of carbamazepine intoxication were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic and laboratory data of patients were recorded on study form. Patients were divided into two groups as those applied hemodialysis (Group 1) and those not applied hemodialysis (Group 2). Group 1 included 13 patients while group 2 did 36.
Results: Statistically significant differences were detected between groups in terms of heart rate, Glasgow Coma scale score, presence of convulsions, midriasis and blood carbamazepine levels at the time of presentation. It was observed that carbamazepine levels decreased by 58% via hemodialysis in those receiving hemodialysis.
Discussion: Hemodialysis is simple, cheap, widespread and easier to apply compared to hemoperfusion. It has been shown that acute carbamazepine intoxication can be treated with low flow-high activity standard hemodialysis and it is a good therapeutic option.

Corresponding Author: Ayhan Özhasenekler, MD; e-mail: drhasenek@mynet.com /drhasenek@hotmail.com