Results of treatment of acute intoxications by dialysis in dialysis centers of the GDR from 1959 to 1968

From 1959 to 1968 a total of 318 intoxications have been dialyzed mostly by haemodialysis in 15 dialysis centers in the GDR. The total survival rate was 71.4 per cent. The incidence of posonings in per cent of total (the survival rate in breackets) was: Hypnotics without Methaqualon 33 (84%), soap abortion 13 (63%), carbon tetrachloride 11.6 (67%) Amanita phalloides 7.5 (67%), dichloroethane 7.5 (67%), slowly dialyzable compounds 6.3 (75%), Hg-compounds 3.8 (83%), town gas 2.5 (62%), acetic acid 2.5 (12%) and rare poisonings 12.3 (77%). The results are discussed. The prophylactic dialysis, i.e. before beginning of renal failure particularly in poisonings with nephrotoxic compounds, is recommended. About 5 patients per 1 million inhabitants are dialyzed per year because of acute intoxication. The increasing use of toxic substances in industry and household demands a close cooperation between intensive care units, reaniation centers, dialysis units and the existing toxicologic consultation centers.