Ask Us > Lipid rescue and labs

After using intralipid successfully to resuscitate an adult after TCA overdose, the lab called me to say that the lipids were causing the blood specimens to be rejected on all the machines for running CBC, CHEM 7, etc. I had not read anything about that, but understand. Should the lab just spin down the specimens like they would in patients with high triglycerides? Ideas? Experience?

Thanks!
February 7, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterHeath Jolliff, DO
Hi Heath,
Yes, I suspect that can be a problem which is probably best addressed initially be spinning the plasma down first as in a patient with severe hyperlipemia. It should resolve pretty quickly, tho. MORE IMPORTANT:...
you should write up this case. there are as yet NO case reports of the use of lipid rescue in human (clinical) tricyclic or calcium channel blocker overdose. You have a chance to write a very important paper!!!!
Good luck,
Guy
February 8, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterguy