1 Changes in arterial oxygen tension after gastric lavage were investigated in a prospective study of 55 patients admitted for drug overdose.
2 A significantly greater decrease was observed in smokers compared to non-smokers.
3 A correlation was found between the tricyclic antidepressant serum level and the observed oxygen tension decrease.
4 The usefulness, as well as the safety of the lavage procedure, in managing tricyclic antidepressants overdoses is controversial.
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