What life-threatening condition results from cyanide poisoning?

Cyanide poisoning primarily affects the body's ability to use oxygen at the cellular level, which leads to a critical lack of oxygen in tissues and organs. The mitochondria, responsible for cellular respiration, are severely impacted by cyanide, disrupting the aerobic metabolism that requires oxygen. This results in cellular asphyxiation, even when oxygen levels in the blood are normal.

The most immediate danger in cyanide poisoning is the effect on respiration. As cellular oxygen utilization is impaired, the body can no longer produce adequate energy, leading to the failure of respiratory centers in the brain. This can result in respiratory arrest, which is a life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical intervention.

While cardiac arrest, seizures, or coma can occur as a consequence of severe hypoxia or related complications, the initial and most direct threat posed by cyanide toxicity is the respiratory system's failure, making respiratory arrest the most pertinent condition to recognize in this context.