A Retrospective Analysis of Serial Measurement of Serum Cholinesterase in Acute Poisoning with Organophosphate Compounds

OBJECTIVES: Retrospective analysis of the utility of serial measurements of serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in predicting the duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and outcome of the patient from MV in organophosphate (OP) compound poisoning patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients who presented to tertiary care hospital with symptomatic insecticidal poisoning from January 2009 to December 2010 were utilized for the study purpose. Forty four patients with history of poisoning were admitted during this period. Out of these 37 patients with history of OP poisoning, without any underlying diseases and whose serial AChE activity levels were available were included in the study. Data regarding clinical manifestation at presentation, AChE activity results and its interpretation, details of patient management and data on outcomes of patients were noted. RESULTS: Serum acetycholinesterase levels below 1,250IU/L, 1,789IU/L and 2,764IU/L on day three, day four and five respectively indicates longer duration of stay in the ICU. Patients with serum AChE levels below 975IU/L, 876IU/L, 1,245IU/L, 1,395IU/L and 1,875IU/L on day one, two, three, four and five respectively take a longer time to be out of mechanical ventilation. Levels below 870IU/L, 1,110IU/L, 1,020IU/L and 885IU/L on day two, three, four and five respectively indicate poor prognosis of the patient and mortality. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the serial measurements of serum acetylcholinesterase levels can be useful in predicting the length of ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and the prognosis of the patient with OP poisoning.