[Self-administration of intravenous drugs--a rare cause of respiratory arrest in medical practice].

Respiratory arrest is a major emergency in medical practice, which implies prompt intervention from the physician assisting such case. Respiratory arrest can be classified into primary respiratory arrest, caused by airway obstruction, decreased respiratory drive, or respiratory muscle weakness and secondary respiratory arrest, as a result of circulatory insufficiency. Among important causes of respiratory arrest, acute poisonings are to remember. We present a case of respiratory arrest following intravenously self-administration of opiates in attempted suicide. Patient required rapidly orientated etiologic diagnostic, and had a favorable outcome, with complete recovery, after applying CPR protocol, as well as antidote.