TY - JOUR
T1 - Anesthetic management of the illicit-substance-using patient
AU - Hernandez, Marcelle
AU - Birnbach, David J.
AU - Van Zundert, André A.J.
PY - 2005/6
Y1 - 2005/6
N2 - Purpose of review: During the last few years, drug abuse has risen to the point that almost 20 million Americans are current abusers of illicit substances. These patients present to us as anesthesiologists in a variety of circumstances: in obstetrics for labor and emergencies, in trauma for emergency surgeries or life-saving (resuscitative) situations and in everyday elective surgeries. Therefore it is important for anesthesiologists to know about the most common illicit drugs being used, to know their side effects and clinical presentation if abused or intoxicated, and to know what anesthetic options would be beneficial or detrimental. Recent findings: In this article we will review some of the most commonly used illicit drugs, their effects on the organ systems and some tips to take into consideration when providing anesthesia for these patients. We will discuss marijuana, cocaine, opioids, hallucinogens, solvents and the newer so-called rave or club drugs. Newer treatment options for opioid detoxification will also be discussed. Summary: Illicit substance abuse is a major health concern in the United States. Drug use, either acute or chronic, has potentially grave consequences which include changes affecting the pulmonary, cardiovascular, nervous, renal and hepatic systems. Anesthesiologist come into contact with these patients in emergency and everyday situations. Due to the diverse clinical presentations that may arise from single substance or polysubstance abuse, anesthetic management should be tailored to each individual and universal precautions should always be followed when providing care.
AB - Purpose of review: During the last few years, drug abuse has risen to the point that almost 20 million Americans are current abusers of illicit substances. These patients present to us as anesthesiologists in a variety of circumstances: in obstetrics for labor and emergencies, in trauma for emergency surgeries or life-saving (resuscitative) situations and in everyday elective surgeries. Therefore it is important for anesthesiologists to know about the most common illicit drugs being used, to know their side effects and clinical presentation if abused or intoxicated, and to know what anesthetic options would be beneficial or detrimental. Recent findings: In this article we will review some of the most commonly used illicit drugs, their effects on the organ systems and some tips to take into consideration when providing anesthesia for these patients. We will discuss marijuana, cocaine, opioids, hallucinogens, solvents and the newer so-called rave or club drugs. Newer treatment options for opioid detoxification will also be discussed. Summary: Illicit substance abuse is a major health concern in the United States. Drug use, either acute or chronic, has potentially grave consequences which include changes affecting the pulmonary, cardiovascular, nervous, renal and hepatic systems. Anesthesiologist come into contact with these patients in emergency and everyday situations. Due to the diverse clinical presentations that may arise from single substance or polysubstance abuse, anesthetic management should be tailored to each individual and universal precautions should always be followed when providing care.
KW - Anesthesia
KW - Illicit substance abuse
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=20444363453&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=20444363453&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/01.aco.0000169241.21680.0b
DO - 10.1097/01.aco.0000169241.21680.0b
M3 - Review article
C2 - 16534357
AN - SCOPUS:20444363453
VL - 18
SP - 315
EP - 324
JO - Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology
JF - Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology
SN - 0952-7907
IS - 3
ER -