Phosgene-induced pulmonary oedema

Guo et al. (1990) working with an in vivo rabbit model showed that pre- or posttreatment with indomethacin, an inhibitor of thromboxane and prostacyclin production but not of leukotriene production, partially blocked phosgene-induced pulmonary oedema. The leukotriene receptor blockers FPL 55712 and LY 171883 dramatically reduced the oedema when given post-exposure to phosgene. 

Phosgene was used as a major CW agent in WW I and was responsible for the greatest number of CW induced mortalities. It causes a lethal pulmonary oedema after an asymptomatic lag phase of up to 24 h. Its specific mechanism of action is unknown, but is assumed to involve reactions with nucleophilic sites on macromolecules. 

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