ARDS Following Acute Lithium Carbonate Intoxication

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Title: ARDS Following Acute Lithium Carbonate Intoxication
Authors: Friedman, B. C.; Bekes, C. E.; Scott, W. E.; Bartter, MD, Thaddeus
Publisher: Intensive Care Medicine
Date Published: January 01, 1992
Reference Number: 308
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Abstract • Translation
Lithium is a two-edged sword; it is on the one hand a unique drug with invaluable psychoactive potential and on the other a drug which can cause multisystem toxicity and even death. We present a case of severe lithium intoxication with multiple organ involvement. Our patient developed the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (DI), distinctive neurological abnormalities, and hyperglycemia. We believe that this is a case of ARDS due to lithium toxicity in which elevated left atrial pressures were excluded by right heart catheterization and suggest a causal relationship between lithium and ARDS.

This translation by the NDI Foundation is to assist the lay reader. To provide a clear, accessible interpretation of the original article, we eliminated or simplified some technical detail and complicated scientific language. We concentrated our translation on those aspects of the article dealing directly with NDI. The NDI Foundation thanks the researchers for their work toward understanding and more effectively treating this disorder.
© Copyright NDI Foundation 2007 (JC)

Friedman, et al., report on a 33-year-old woman on lithium therapy for a psychological disorder who, as a result of lithium intoxication, developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), neurological abnormalities and hyperglycemia. Upon hospitalization, the authors placed her on oxygen, monitered her closely and performed a number of diagnostic procedures that concluded that lithium intoxication was indeed responsible for her symptoms. Over the course of 11 days, the woman's NDI resolved, and her mental status and respiratory function improved. The authors noted that lithium use has expanded to treat a number of disorders. This expansion puts more people at risk for lithium toxicity, as the drug has the capacity to alter basic cellular function.