2-butenal and ketene

Acute inhalational exposure leads to rapidly progressive acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This report is the first one to present a patient with ARDS in relation to long-standing exposure to a high-concentration mixture of ethenone and crotonaldehyde.. A male worker in a chemical plant was accidentally exposed to the mixture of high-concentrated ethenone and crotonaldehyde for 5 min in an open space and worked continuously in the polluted area for approximately 12 h. On admission, he was conscious with the following vital parameters: blood pressure, 151/91 mmHg; pulse rate, 107 beats/min; respiratory rate, 30 breaths/min; temperature, 37.6°C; oxygen saturation, 92% supported by mask saturation 10 L/min; arterial blood gases showed P/F oxygen ratio of less than 200. Physical examination disclosed decreased bilateral vesicular sounds. A chest computed tomography revealed bilateral nonsegmental ground-glass opacities. The patient was mechanically ventilated and treated with corticosteroid. The patient was discharged without any symptoms.. Exposure to mixtures of ethenone and crotonaldehyde can cause severe pulmonary injury leading to delayed ARDS.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Aldehydes; Ethylenes; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Ketones; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome