Clinical significance of lactate dehydrogenase in diagnosis of acute hydrogen cyanide poisoning

Objective The changes of blood lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) of cyanide poisoning cases were carefully observed to provide the orientation for the diagnosis and grading of cyanide poisoning. Methods A total of 6 cases with accidental hydrogen cyanide poisoning were studied and their time-course changes of blood lactate dehydrogenase were recorded till 108 hours. Results Lactate dehydrogenase level of hydrogen cyanide poisoning patients was above 300 U/L and recovered slowly, while that of exposed persons was less than 300 U/L and recovered rapidly. Conclusion It suggested that the lactic dehydrogenase was useful for the diagnosis at early stage.