Re: Transplant surgeon kills donor? Originally Posted by cardiacRN2006 
The propylene glycol would just put him in lactic acidosis. I would venture to say he was in all kinds of that just being off of the vent for so many hours.
The inadvertant administration of the propylene glycol was the least of his concerns.
Propylene glycol can do much more than "just" put someone in lactic acidosis. Sure it does break down into lactic acid which can build up with a chronic exposure especially in a renal pt BUT propylene glycol when given too fast can also cause death by circulatory collapse and arrhythmias.
In this case we are not talking about a significant chronic exposure though, the 80 mg were given either at one time or over a course of 30 minutes. I dont think you should give more than 2mg/min of Ativan. Valium and Dilantin are 2 others you have to be careful with. Like the lady who died after receiving the 8 gm Dilantin most likely died from the propylene glycol but not lactic acidosis.
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