Toxic Trauma to the Heart and Vascular System

The conducting system of the heart may also be affected by anticholinesterase nerve agents and pesticides producing dysrhythmias and ECG changes. 

Many hydrocarbon TIC also have a direct effect on the conducting system of the heart causing dysrhythmias. This is sometimes seen in general anaesthesia, particularly with halogenated hydrocarbon compounds such as halothane. 

Finally, the heart has a high metahohc rate and is very susceptible to hypoxia which can be produced from asphyxiating causes given above. Severe hypoxia causes asystolic cardiac arrest secondary to respiratory failure and arrest. This underlines why the early management of respiratory insufficiency following toxic trauma is so important. 

Many toxic substances also affect the peripheral vascular system (e.g. ergo-tamine and several toxins). These effects tend to he chroiuc, however, and outside the remit of the discussion of toxic trauma as an acute phenomenon. 

Short-term trauma to the clotting system is seen with a number of animal toxins, particularly snake venoms. 

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