Clinical Resources
PONS Presentation: Substance Withdrawal in Neurocritical Care (No CEU)
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Millions of people in the United States take substances that may precipitate withdrawal when they become critically ill. Signs and symptoms related to substance withdrawal include agitation, hemodynamic instability, fever and delirium, which may further complicate care. “Substance withdrawal in Neurocritical Care” reviews and discusses commonly encountered withdrawal syndromes: alcohol, opioids, nicotine and intrathecal baclofen. Standard treatment regimens are mostly lacking in this area due to variability in clinical evidence. Several trials investigating treatment strategies, and special considerations for neurocritical care patients are explored.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe commonly encountered withdrawal syndromes in critically ill patients
- Review pharmacologic treatment options for patients undergoing withdrawal
- Assess challenges that may be faced when managing neurocritical care patients with substance withdrawal