Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Dec 1990
In vitro demonstration of the antidotal efficacy of hydroxocobalamin in cyanide poisoning.
The effects of sodium cyanide (1 mM) and the antidotal action of hydroxocobalamin (1 mM) were studied on rat cardiac papillary muscle. A 10-min period of exposure to cyanide induced a marked decrease in inotropy as shown by a decrease in the maximum unloaded shortening velocity (Vmax: 64 +/- 11% of precyanide values, p <0.01) and active isometric force (AF/s: 35 +/- 13%, p <0.01). The impairment of contraction-relaxation coupling under low load and the nearly complete disappearance of the load sensitivity of relaxation suggested a decrease in sarcoplasmic reticulum function. ⋯ The effects of hydroxocobalamin developed very quickly, beat to beat. The main toxic target of cyanide is brain and heart cytochrome oxidase, and brain damage appears only a few minutes after the onset of anoxia. Because hydroxocobalamin is a rapid and powerful antidote, it may be useful in the treatment of acute cyanide poisoning.