Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology
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The primary objective is to identify and describe the complications associated with the use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy as an antidote for lipophilic drug toxicity. This study is a retrospective chart review of patients treated with ILE at two academic medical centers between 2005 and 2012. Based on previously reported complications, we hypothesized that pancreatitis, ARDS, and lipemia-induced laboratory interference might occur. ⋯ Three patients developed ARDS; although temporally associated, a causal relationship between ILE and the development of ARDS cannot be clearly established. As ILE is increasingly used for less severe cases of drug toxicity, clinicians should be aware of potential complications associated with its use. A risk-benefit assessment for the use of ILE should be implemented on a case-by-case basis.