Succimer Mitigates the Perioperative Risk for an Increase in Blood Lead Levels During Bulletectomy: A Case Report.

CASE: A 38-year-old man with a tibial plateau fracture required treatment for elevated blood lead level (BLL) from retained bullet fragments in the same knee from a gunshot wound 21 years earlier. Oral succimer presurgery and postsurgery decreased the BLL from 58 to 15 µg/dL. CONCLUSION: Parenteral chelation has been previously recommended to mitigate an increase in BLLs during surgical intervention to remove bullet fragments. Oral succimer was an effective and well-tolerated alternative to intravenous chelation. Further research is needed to determine the optimal route, timing, and duration of chelation in patients with elevated BLL in need of bulletectomy.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Review of the Presentation and Treatment.

After the increasing legalization of cannabis, there has been a rising trend in cannabis consumption, especially among heavy users. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a syndrome of cyclic vomiting related to chronic cannabis use. The difficulty of diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome has led to a disproportionately high use of health care resources. Although the exact mechanism of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is still unknown, patients typically progress through prodromal, hyperemetic, and recovery phases. Persistent vomiting in a patient who reports relief with hot showers should trigger the consideration of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome as a possible diagnosis. For treatment, antipsychotics such as haloperidol or droperidol have been shown to be more effective than conventional antiemetics for symptom control. Capsaicin should also be considered, given its positive efficacy and low adverse-effect profile. Providers must be aware of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, its diagnosis, and treatment, given the increasing prevalence. Further research is required to elicit the exact mechanism and additional therapies for this syndrome.

The effects of ceftriaxone by intravenous push on adverse drug reactions in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: At our hospital, a shortage of sterile saline bags led to changing ceftriaxone from intravenous infusion to intravenous push. We examined if this change led to an increase in adverse reactions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart analysis on patients 18 and older that were administered ceftriaxone in the ED between January to March 2018. Research assistants recorded information about possible adverse reactions. Adverse reactions were defined as any noxious or unintended response to a drug given at therapeutic doses. Potential adverse reactions were independently reviewed by three EM clinicians and confirmed by an adverse drug reaction probability scale. The primary outcome was the rate of adverse reactions for IVP administration of ceftriaxone. RESULTS: 831 encounters were identified, 77 were excluded due to erroneous or missing data, and a total of 753 were included. Study demographics include an average age of 52.8, a female majority (54.2%) and predominantly black patient population (41.5%). A total of 24 cases were potential adverse reactions. After independent review, only one of the 24 cases was determined to be an adverse reaction to ceftriaxone from IVP. The total adverse event rate observed was 1/753 or 0.13%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the rate of adverse reactions for IVP is lower than previously reported. Given the demonstrated safety of IVP administration, future studies are warranted to determine the implications for ED efficiency and cost benefits from this change in drug delivery.

Emergency Department Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a syndrome of cyclic vomiting associated with chronic cannabis use. As cannabis consumption steadily increases each year, CHS is becoming a commonplace and costly occurrence in hospitals nationwide. Currently, there are no best treatment strategies agreed upon universally. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY: Thus far, most data about CHS have come from case reports and case series. Consequently, the pathophysiology of the syndrome is unclear, and its occurrence in some cannabis users, but not others, is not understood. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was conducted through PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar from inception until 2017. Publications only in English describing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and treatments of CHS were incorporated after thorough evaluation. National government surveys were also referred to for current information about the CHS patient population. RESULTS: CHS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient presenting with persistent nausea and vomiting. In particular, the diagnosis is suggested if the patient demonstrates regular and chronic cannabis use, intractable nausea and vomiting, cyclical vomiting, relief of symptoms with hot baths, and resolution of symptoms after cannabis cessation. There are currently many possible explanations regarding the mechanisms behind CHS. A variety of treatment options have also been examined, including hot water baths, haloperidol, capsaicin, and benzodiazepines. CONCLUSIONS: CHS is becoming an increasingly prevalent and complicated problem for health care providers and patients. Further research must be done to address the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of this syndrome.