Acute respiratory failure following lithium intoxication. A report of two cases.

Two patients suffering from severe lithium poisoning (blood level greater than 4 mmol/litre) were treated by haemodialysis. Both patients developed delayed respiratory failure, with the characteristics of adult respiratory distress syndrome, at a time when lithium levels had fallen below 2 mmol/litre. We recommend early respiratory support in the treatment of severe lithium intoxication.