scholarly journals Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maia ◽  
Gonçalo Cotovio ◽  
Bernardo Barahona-Corrêa ◽  
Albino J. Oliveira-Maia

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a neurological emergency caused by dysregulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. While it is typically characterized by muscle rigidity, fever and altered mental status, it may have a heterogeneous and non-specific presentation, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Treatment involves cessation of dopamine-receptor antagonists and supportive measures, but in more severe cases, bromocriptine, dantrolene, benzodiazepines and/or electroconvulsive therapy should be considered. We present the case of a 66-year-old man with severe neuroleptic malignant syndrome, diagnosed due to need for continuous invasive ventilation in an Intensive Care Unit, after successful treatment for respiratory sepsis. The patient recovered after electroconvulsive therapy and administration of bromocriptine. This unusually severe case illustrates the need for a high level of suspicion for neuroleptic malignant syndrome in critically ill patients with malignant catatonic syndromes, allowing for an early diagnosis and potentially lifesavingtreatment.

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
George C. Velmahos ◽  
Carlos V. Brown ◽  
Demetrios Demetriades

Venous duplex scan (VDS) has been used for interim bedside diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in severely injured patients deemed to be at risk if transported out of the intensive care unit. In combination with the level of clinical suspicion for PE, VDS helps select patients for temporary treatment until definitive diagnosis is made. We evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of VDS in critically injured patients with a high level of clinical suspicion for PE. We performed a prospective observational cohort study at the surgical intensive care unit of an academic level 1 trauma center. Patients were 59 critically injured patients suspected to have PE over a 30-month period. The level of clinical suspicion for PE was classified as low or high according to preset criteria. Interventions were VDS and a PE outcome test (conventional or computed tomographic pulmonary angiography). The sensitivity and specificity of VDS to detect PE in all patients and in patients with high level of clinical suspicion was calculated against the results of the outcome test. PE was diagnosed in 21 patients (35.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of VDS was 33 per cent and 89 per cent, respectively. Among the 28 patients who had a high level of clinical suspicion for PE, the sensitivity of VDS was 23 per cent and the specificity 93 per cent. In this latter population, 1 of the 4 (25%) positive VDS was of a patient without PE and 10 of the 24 (42%) negative VDS were of patients who had PE. VDS does not accurately predict PE in severely injured patients, even in the presence of a high level of clinical suspicion.


2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1703-1705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamil Darrouj ◽  
Nitin Puri ◽  
Erin Prince ◽  
Anthony Lomonaco ◽  
Antoinette Spevetz ◽  
...  

Objective: To report a case of alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens successfully treated with adjunctive dexmedetomidine. Case Summary: A 30–year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse was admitted to the general medical unit because of altered mental status and agitation. He was initially treated for alcohol withdrawal with benzodiazepines; his condition then deteriorated and he was transferred to the intensive care unit. Because of the patient's poor response to benzodiazepines (oxazepam and lorazepam, with midazolam the last one used), intravenous dexmedetomidine was started at an initial dose of 0.2 µg/kg/h and titrated to 0.7 µg/kg/h to the patient's comfort. Midazolam was subsequently tapered to discontinuation due to excessive sedation. In the intensive care unit, the patient's symptoms remained controlled with use of dexmedetomidine alone. He remained in the intensive care unit for 40 hours; dexmedetomidine was then tapered to discontinuation and the patient was transferred back to the general medical unit on oral oxazepam and thiamine, which had been started in the emergency department. He was discharged after 5 days. Discussion: A review of the PubMed database (1989-2007} failed to identify any other instances of dexmedetomidine having been used as the principal agent to treat alcohol withdrawal. The use of sedative to treat delirium tremens Is well documented, with benzodiazepines being the agents of choice. The clinical utility of benzodiazepines is limited by their stimulation of the γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, an effect not shared by dexmedetomidine, a central α2-receptor agonist that induces a state of cooperative sedation and does not suppress respiratory drive. Conclusions: In patients with delirium tremens, dexmedetomidine should be considered as an option for primary treatment. This case illustrates the need for further studies to investigate other potential uses for dexmedetomidine.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Femke M. Dessens ◽  
Judith van Paassen ◽  
David J. van Westerloo ◽  
Nic J. van der Wee ◽  
Irene M. van Vliet ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Nima Ahmadi ◽  
Farzan Sasangohar ◽  
Tariq Nisar ◽  
Valerie Danesh ◽  
Ethan Larsen ◽  
...  

Objective To identify physiological correlates to stress in intensive care unit nurses. Background Most research on stress correlates are done in laboratory environments; naturalistic investigation of stress remains a general gap. Method Electrodermal activity, heart rate, and skin temperatures were recorded continuously for 12-hr nursing shifts (23 participants) using a wrist-worn wearable technology (Empatica E4). Results Positive correlations included stress and heart rate (ρ = .35, p < .001), stress and skin temperature (ρ = .49, p < .05), and heart rate and skin temperatures (ρ = .54, p = .0008). Discussion The presence and direction of some correlations found in this study differ from those anticipated from prior literature, illustrating the importance of complementing laboratory research with naturalistic studies. Further work is warranted to recognize nursing activities associated with a high level of stress and the underlying reasons associated with changes in physiological responses. Application Heart rate and skin temperature may be used for real-time detection of stress, but more work is needed to validate such surrogate measures.


2021 ◽  
pp. 3-5
Author(s):  
Sunita Agarwal ◽  
Nazneen Pathan ◽  
Shivra Batra ◽  
Rajni Sharma

Introduction: The emergence of High Level Aminoglycoside Resistance (Resistant to Gentamycin and Streptomycin) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci among Indoor and Intensive Care Unit admitted patient presents a serious challenge for clinicians. Objective: To determine Enterococcal burden in blood and urine specimens and to detect the prevalence of High Level Aminoglycoside Resistance and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci. Material & Methods: One hundred ten Enterococci were isolated from blood and urine samples and processed according to standard laboratory protocol. Species identication and sensitivity was done using the VITEK 2 automated system (Biomerieux France) with the cards GPID and AST 67 respectively. Results: Out of 110 Enterococci isolates, 36 were from blood and 74 from urine were detected. Different Species isolated were Enterococcal faecium (59%), Enterococcal faecalis (34%), Enterococcal rafnosus (2.7%), Enterococcal gallinarum (1.8%), Enterococcal casseliavus (0.9%) and Enterococcal duran (0.9%).Out of 36 blood isolates, 14 (38%) were found to be both High Level Gentamycin Resistant (HLGR) & High Level Streptomycin Resistant (HLSR), 10 (27%) were only HLGR and 8 (22%) were only HLSR. 20 strain (55%) of Enterococcus species isolated in blood were VRE. All VRE strains were found to be resistant to both aminoglycosides ( HLAR).Among the 74 urinary isolates, 24 (34%) were found to be both HLGR & HLSR, only HLGR was observed in 20 (27%) and HLSR was observed in 11 (14%) isolates. 24 strains (34%) of Enterococcus species were found to be vancomycin resistant in urine. 23 strains out of 24 were resistant to high level of aminoglycosides. Conclusion: The prevalence of HLAR and VRE is very high among Enterococcus specimens from indoor/ intensive care unit patients. Early species identication and antibiotic sensitivity result can help in better clinical outcome.


2008 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. S41
Author(s):  
Stvlianos Xvtsas ◽  
Panagiota Kasviki ◽  
Magdalini Alexandridou ◽  
Marios Karvouniaris ◽  
Agni Michailidou ◽  
...  

1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 775-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roopali Sharma ◽  
Brian Trappler ◽  
Yiu Kee Ng ◽  
Cavin P Leeman

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) induced by risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic, and to review the available literature related to risperidone-associated NMS. DATA SOURCE: Case report information was obtained from the resident physician and medical records. MEDLINE and Index Medicus were searched to obtain literature published between 1960 and 1995. DATA SYNTHESIS: We report an adolescent boy who developed NMS after treatment with risperidone. Risperidone therapy was started after unsuccessful treatment and development of extrapyramidal adverse effects with haloperidol. The patient demonstrated the classic tetrad of fever, generalized skeletal muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction. Risperidone was discontinued and the patient recovered after a prolonged hospital course with supportive management. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians are cautioned about the possibility of NMS with risperidone.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-303
Author(s):  
Tri Rejeki Herdiana ◽  
Yasuhiro Takahashi ◽  
Ma. Regina Paula Valencia ◽  
Marian Grace Ana-Magadia ◽  
Hirohiko Kakizaki

Purpose: To report a case of periocular necrotizing fasciitis with toxic shock syndrome. Methods: This is a case report of a previously healthy 69-year-old woman with left preseptal eyelid infection that spread rapidly and deteriorated into necrosis of the eyelid with toxic shock syndrome. She was admitted to intensive care unit for hemodynamic stabilization. Results: Intravenous antibiotic and high-dose immunoglobulin were administered followed by surgical debridement. Rehabilitative eyelid reconstruction was performed after acute episode, resulting in patient satisfaction in relation to periocular function and appearance. Conclusion: We reported a case of periocular necrotizing fasciitis with toxic shock syndrome that necessitated early aggressive medical treatment and adequate surgical intervention to decrease morbidity and mortality. A high level of suspicion of periocular necrotizing fasciitis is necessary to make a prompt diagnosis.


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