Cyanide poisoning and organ donation in Australia: a case report

Amygdalin is an aromatic cyanogenic glycoside, and available in tablet form as amygdalin, vitamin B17 or laetrile. We describe an intentional amygdalin drug overdose resulting in fatal cyanide poisoning which eventuated into tissue and organ procurement with successful organ transplantation. Because measured cyanide concentrations were not immediately available, the ICU adopted a 48-hour observation period to monitor organ function and lactate concentrations to determine suitability for organ tissue donation. This led to the acceptance of the heart, liver and one kidney. All three transplant recipients were doing well in the 12 months following donation.