A study of effectiveness of fresh frozen plasma in organophosphorous compound poisoning in reducing length of Intensive Care Unit stay and in reducing need for tracheostomy.

BACKGROUND: The main stay of treatment in organophophosphorous [OP] poisoning is with atropine, oximes and supportive therapy. Despite the therapy, no improvement in mortality and morbidity. Fresh frozen plasma [FFP] a source of serum cholinesterase act as bio-scavenger to neutralise organophosphate toxins to improve the patients out come.

METHODS: The prospective study was conducted in 80 patients with acute OP poisoning. Patients with moderate to severe grade of OP poisoning with serum cholinesterase level <1000 IU/L were included in the study. Study group received atropine and oximes along with FFP given as 4 units first day, 3units on 2(nd) day, 2 units on 3(rd) day. Control group was given atropine and oximes only. Serum cholinesterase enzymes level, consumption of atropine per day, number of days on ventilator, length of ICU stay, and need for tracheostomy were assessed.

RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the serum cholinesterase levels after FFP infusion in the study group in comparison to the control group. Mean duration of Intensive Care Unit [ICU] stay was 8.35±4.3 in the study group and 12.45±4.13 in the control group. 06 patients in the control group succumbed whereas there were no fatalities in the study group.

CONCLUSION: Daily reducing dose of FFP therapy for 3 consecutive days has beneficial effect in acute OP poisoning by increasing serum cholinesterase enzymes in blood with reduction in total dose of atropine consumption per day. It also reduces the ICU stay with zero mortality in OP poisoning.