Endocrinology & Metabolic Syndrome
Open Access

Abstract

Could Glucagon be a Therapeutic Option in the Management of Acute Aluminium Phosphide Toxicity?

Mohammad Arefi and Narges Tabrizchi

Background: Acute aluminum phosphide is a severe toxicity in Iran and the other countries such as India. Morbidity and mortality of this toxicity are high because of the absence of any antidote. Its mortality is related to releasing of phosphine gas after ingesting of this poison.

Objective: Cardiovascular collapse and hypotension are the main factors which result in death in this toxicity. Although serum therapy is essential in its management, the vasopressors play an important role too.

Discussion: Glucagon is a pancreatic polypeptide hormone that has diverse utility as both a therapeutic and diagnostic agent. It has been used as an effective therapeutic agent for beta blocker and calcium channel blocker toxicity and shock for many years.

Summary: We propose that glucagon can dominate the refractory hypotension and myocardial depression in combination with serum therapy and vasopressors in aluminum phosphide toxicity.