Bewusstseinsstörungen aus toxikologischer Sicht

Poisoning with impaired mental state is a frequent cause for hospital admission. The initial management includes assessment of vital functions and airway management followed by focussed diagnostics. Poison Emergency Centers can provide valuable assistance in acute intoxications. Clinically important agents causing mental state alterations include opiates, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol, methanol and ethylene glycol, carbon monoxide and salicylates. Most important therapeutic measures comprise supportive care, decontamination or elimination. For certain toxins specific antidotes are available. In presence of severe intoxications and impaired vital functions, the patient should be transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU).