[Acute tricyclic antidepressant intoxication. Evaluation of severity and treatment. A study of 16 patients with cardiovascular manifestations (author's transl)].

Among the 94 tricyclic antidepressant intoxications received in 3 years in the intensive care unit of Edouard Herriot Hospital, 16 with cardio-vascular manifestations are studied. The criteria of selection is the presence on the electrocardiogram (ECG) of a ventricular trouble in conduction excitability or automaticity. Eight times, the ingested dose exceeds 20 mg/kg. 10 times several toxics are taken explaining the severity of coma and the rarity of convulsions. 2 collapses, 1 shock, 1 cardiac arrest occur. The most frequent ECG abnormalities are: T modifications, (90 p. 100), prolongation of QT interval (60 p. 100), right bundle branch block (50 p. 100) or left one (25 p. 100). Only one death occurs; (1 p. 100 of this series). Ventricular dysrythmia or myocardial failure represent the main criteria in the evaluation of severity of the tricyclic antidepressant intoxication. For the treatment, a complete digestive evacuation is needed, Hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, or hemoperfusion cannot be actually recommended. The treatment of cardiac troubles involves essentially sodium. and eventually intra-cardiac pace maker.