2014, Number S1
Toxicological causes of sudden cardiac death
Hernández AL
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 12
Page: 42-45
PDF size: 197.05 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Not infrequently and related to unhealthy life styles, sudden death may have a direct cardiac cause or of other type, when triggers act on the myocardium and cause fatal episodes. The heart is a muscle whose function is to act as a pump to oxygenate and nourish the body. From the biochemical and toxicological point of view, the heart is affected by damage to the cell structure or its function, altering the normal physiological mechanisms, and this is translated by conditions where heart rhythm disorders, abnormal blood pressure, heart failure and toxic myocarditis are observed. There are groups of toxic substances able to trigger this event: drugs, pesticides, irritant gases, that according to a study conducted by the National Toxicology Center, are leading causes of death from acute poisoning in Cuba; drugs have also relevance because of the harm to health and society. In order to identify the problem and extend this knowledge, a literature review was conducted with the support of our literature and that of other related specialties. It was noted that many toxic substances alter the normal balance of the body in a severe way. We conclude that poisoning is a cause of sudden death mainly due to involvement of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and acid-base balance.REFERENCES
Pérez de Corcho Rodríguez MA, Pérez Assef JJ, Sevi-lla Pérez B, Mayola Alberto CC, Díaz Mizos F. Estra-tegia con enfoque comunitario para prevenir los factores de riesgo de muerte súbita. Mediciego [In-ternet]. 2011 [citado 2013 Oct 30];17(1). Disponible en: http://bvs.sld.cu/revistas/mciego/Vol17_01_%202011/pdf/T18.pdf