Abstract |
Cases of acute vinyl chloride intoxication in workers are extremely rare and are usually due to massive exposure to the substance during work in closed areas and during accidents. Under the indicated conditions even short-term breathing of vinyl chloride can cause sudden loss of consciousness and a state of narcosis. In those cases when the patient is not immediately removed from the gas-filled room, a coma may develop that is lethal as the result of respiratory arrest. With timely rendering of first aid, patients soon emerge from the comatose condition, but consciousness may remain clouded for a short time. Over the next few days, headache, dizziness, general weakness and an inclination to bradycardia and arterial hypotony are observed. The patient practically recovers in 5-7 days. |