2. Overview
Some ED statistics
Pharmacology of ethanol
Acute Intoxication
Alcohol in trauma
Alcohol Withdrawal
Chronic alcoholism – special problems
Toxic Alcohols
Summary
Quiz
3. Some Statistics
3.3 million people world wide die from alcohol related illness p.a. (5.9%)
Over 5% of annual burden of disease as DALYs is due to alcohol worldwide
25% of deaths in 20-39 yr olds world wide are attributable to ETOH
ETOH is implicated in over 200 different health conditions
1 in 3 presentations to the ED in Australia are related to alcohol
In 2010 estimates 3.5% Australian pop are dependent or use harmfully
Australian men drink 20L per yr, women drink 9L per yr of pure alcohol
4. Pharmacology of Ethanol
CNS depressant
Potentiates action at GABA receptors and reduces NMDA activity (serotonin, NE)
Absorbed 20% gastric 80% small intestine; metabolised at liver & excreted
by kidney. 5% unchanged via lung. Water soluble. Zero order kinetics.
Metabolism
5. Acute Intoxication
Signs of acute intoxication
Nystagmus, ataxia, slurred speech, CNS depression, respiratory depression
Treatment – largely supportive. Aspiration risk – nurse on side.
Patient must not be a danger to self or others before ED discharge (e.g.
mobilise safely, responsible party will take home), passing urine
No evidence that IVT improves recovery time / hastens metabolism, or BAL,
but adds to cost of admission*
If patient is not alcohol dependent, thiamine is not required
6. Alcohol in Trauma
Higher suspicion for significant injuries e.g head trauma, c-spine
If history / mechanism is unclear and patient has altered GCS, cannot
assume it is due to alcohol. Lowered index to scan.
If patient not improving or deteriorating during observation – look for
alternate explanation
Intoxication is a consideration in NEXUS c-spine rules, but not Canadian
7. Alcohol Withdrawal
Minor withdrawal 6-24 hrs
Tremor, anxiety, N&V, insomnia
Major withdrawal 10-72 hrs
Alcoholic hallucinosis, whole body tremor, vomiting, diaphoresis, HTN
Seizures 6-48 hrs
Brief and generalised, normal EEG, up to 60% not treated for withdrawal, up to
40% will progress to DT
Delirium Tremens 3-10 days
Medical emergency. Global confusion is hallmark; autonomic hyperactivity, risk
of cardiovascular collapse, fluid / electrolyte disturbance. Large differential
diagnosis.
8. Chronic Alcoholism – Special Problems
Alcohol effects every bodily system
Cardiovascular – HTN, alcoholic cardiomyopathy (direct toxic effect)
Haematological – anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, macrocytosis, risk of infections, bleeding risk
Neurological – cerebral atrophy, ?alcohol dementia (loose criteria, in DSM-IV, often overlaps
with other forms of dementia, distinct from Korsakoff), head injuries / bleeds, cerebellar atrophy
Endocrine – hyperoestrogenism, hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis
Reproductive– spontaneous abortion, foetal alcohol sy, infertility (men & women), low birth wt
Misc – gout, Dupytreyn’s, myopathy
Psychosocial – financial, marital, violence, risk of sexual assault, employment.
Screening tools e.g. CAGE (cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye opener)
9. Thiamine Deficiency
Water soluble essential nutrient – Vitamin B1
Thiamine is phosphorylated in the gut to active coenzyme form, important
in ATP production, normal nerve conduction & maintenance of neural
membranes
Deficiency results from poor nutrition, decreased conversion to coenzyme,
reduced storage in fatty liver, ethanol may inhibit intestinal transport,
impaired absorption
Deficiency causes beriberi*
Dry beriberi – polyneuropathy (symmetrical, non-specific myelin degen, usually
lower limbs, affects sensory, motor and reflexive arcs. Progressive)
Wet beriberi – affects the heart, leading to high output cardiac failure
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
10. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Spectrum of disease
Wernicke typically precedes, reversible if identified early
Ophthalmoplegia (esp. lateral recti), nystagmus, ataxia
Deranged mental function, fluctuates. Confusion, apathy, sleep disturbance,
disorientation, listlessness to coma
Korsakoff mostly irreversible
Retrograde (then anterograde) amnesia
Confabulation
11. Hepatic Disease
Fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, HCC
Hepatitis can range from mild with non-specific symptoms through to
jaundice and fulminant hepatic failure. Can also become chronic
Portal HTN – in setting of cirrhosis Ascites, portosystemic shunts,
congestive splenomegaly, hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic failure – low albumin, low clotting factors, high ammonia,
peripheral stigmata, jaundice. Risk of SBP, hepatorenal & hepatopulmoary
syndromes (high mortality)
12. Hepatic Encephalopathy
Distinct from Wernicke’s; occurs in setting of pre-existing liver disease
Liver cannot cope with nitrogenous load (normally metabolises ammonium ammonia
urea, excreted via kidney).
Ammonia XBBB into astrocytes for metabolism, osmotic load cerebral oedema
Clinical features: hepatic flap, confusion, altered cognition / coma
Prevention – minimise protein / nitrogen load e.g. low protein diet, enemas, Aims for 3-4 soft
stools daily. Antibiotics ***
Lactulose – decreases transit time through gut (less absorption) and reduces production of
nitrogenous waste by gut flora. (PO or PR 30mls tds)
13. Varices
Oesophageal varcies – lower 1/3 of oesophagus venous drainage via gastric vein
vein to portal system. Develop in setting of portal HTN
Treatment of acute bleed
Careful resuscitation (Hb 70-80)
Terlipressin on suspicion of varices (don’t wait for confirmation) 2mg IV (4 hrly up to 3-5
days)
Endoscopy – banding ligation > sclerotherapy within 12 hrs presentation
Antibiotic to prevent gram negative infection – quinolone or 3rd gen ceph
Balloon tamponade with Blakemore tube (pt is intubated). Risk of oesophageal necrosis
/ rupture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imFCMWeWDpU
TIPSS / surgery
14. Toxic Alcohols
Methanol: >0.5ml/kg can be lethal
metabolised to formic acid, toxic to ocular tissues; CNS effects; initially elevated osmolar gap, then
HAGMA (although normal values don’t exclude significant toxicity)
Chemical thinners, paints, wood spirits, varnishes (not found in methylated spirits in Australia)
Ethylene glycol: >1mg/kg can be lethal
Metabolised to oxalic acid; HAGMA & osmolar gap; rapid CNS depression; formation calcium oxalate
crystals in tissues with hypoCa++ & renal failure, cardiorespiratory failure
Solvents, coolants, anti-freeze, brake fluids
* Treatments include ethanol, fomepizole (ADH inhibitor), NaHCO3, haemodialysis.
15. Summary
Alcohol related illness is a huge part of the ED workload burden
Management of acute intoxication is largely supportive
Higher risk, higher suspicion in trauma with alcohol on board
Acute withdrawal – manage with benzos and thiamine supplementation
Disease associated with thiamine deficiency – may be reversible
Chronic disease related to alcohol – every bodily system. Emergencies to
consider include liver failure, encephalopathy, bleeding varices
Toxic alcohol ingestions can be potentially lethal if not managed early
17. Question 1
Who coined the following phrase?
“Alcohol – the cause and solution to all of life’s problems”
18. Question 2 & 3
2) What city was the bar from this TV show set it?
3) The theme song was Where Everybody Knows You
Name. What was the name of the bar’s proprietor?
19. Question 4
Who is this handsome fella, and what is his contribution to
alcohol related medicine?
(Hint: he produced a thesis entitled Alcoholic Paralysis)
20. Question 5
This unfortunately named singer famously sang about her
refusal to enter rehab.
What was her cause of death?
21. Question 6
This well loved Australian icon reportedly died from alcohol
related dementia (or HIV according to Derryn Hinch).
Who is he and why was he booted off Australian television in
1975?
(I will give bonus points for an impression of the event)
22. Question 7
What are the alcoholic components of a traditional Long Island Iced Tea?
(Hint: there are five)
23. Question 8
On September 19, 1975, the Star Hotel in Newcastle was closed down by
police resulting in an infamous riot (ordinary fare in Newie, really). Which
famous Australian band wrote the song ‘Star Hotel’ about this event?
24. Question 9
For Game of Thrones Fans…
What type of drink does Tyrion Lannister like with his breakfast?
25. Question 10
Robert Downey Jnr is quoted as saying he has an allergy to alcohol. What
does he break out in if he drinks?
26. Question 11 & 12
11) Tom Cruise starred in the 1988 movie Cocktail. What style of bartending
did he help make famous?
12) Which Beach Boys song was the title track to the film?
27. Question 13
You can get it any old how, matter o’ fact, I’ve got it now!
Which famous Aussie beer is this the advertising slogan for?
28. Question 14
On which day of the year is St Patrick’s Day celebrated?
(Bonus point if you know why)
WHO data:
http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/profiles/aus.pdf?ua=1
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs349/en/
ACEM
https://acem.org.au/getmedia/3c816a16-f4c9-4e1c-a66a-7a25df114955/ACEM_Alcohol_Harm_Survey_Media_Release_AUS181213.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf
Article:
*Intravenous 09% sodium chloride therapy does not reduce length of stay of alcohol-intoxicated patients in the emergency department: A randomised controlled trial. Perez, Keijers, Steele, Byrnes et al. J Em Med Aust; (2013) 25,527-34.
Link to article: prospective study to determine superiority of NEXUS vs CCS rules in trauma in NEJM
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa031375
Screen using AWS – this is a validated tool
Treat with long acting benzodiazepine e.g. PO/IV diazepam
Replace thiamine e.g 100mg PO/IV daily
DT is a medical emergency with a large differential diagnosis (stroke, sepsis, thyrotoxicosis, co-ingestion etc etc). Managed as inpatient.
Other considerations – overall nutrition, social welfare
Good chapter in Toxicology Handbook 2nd ed – Alcohol Abude, Dependence and Withdrawal p85 (Chapter 2.12)
NB effects of thiamine deficiency e.g. wet beriberi / cardiac failure are distinct from the direct toxic effects of alcohol e.g. alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Wernicke encephalopathy is distinct from hepatic encephalopathy.
Wernicke’s is caused by deficiency of thiamine and can be improved or reversed with supplemental thiamine;
Hepatic encephalopathy occurs where there is pre-existing liver disease (which may or may not be alcohol related). Usually nitrogenous waste build up which the diseased liver cannot process leads to cerebral oedema and features of encephalopathy. Mainstay of treatment is correcting underlying causes, and reducing nitrogenous load e.g. low protein diet, use of enemas and lactulose to reduce nitrogen absorption and waste formation by gut flora.
CIRRHOSIS
Severity can be graded using Child-Pugh classification system.
Predicts prognosis, need for treatment and assessment for liver transplantation.
Also used in chronic liver disease.
Measures include: bilirubin, albumin, PT/INR, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy. Each is scored and then converted to a grade A/B/C
HEPATITIS
Mild, non specific
Severe, jaundice with altered LFTs
Fulminant hepatitis Also assoc coagulopathy, CVS instability, ARF, ARDS, acid base / electrolyte disturbances. Will not necessarily have chronic stigmata. Fulminant hepatitis – jaundice, encephalopathy, fetor hepaticus. Mortality approaches 90%.
Chronic (>6/12 duration with LFT derangement, confirmed histologically)
JAUNDICE
Imbalance between bilirubin production and elimination
Excessive production
Reduced hepatocyte uptake
Impaired conjugation
Decreased hepatocellular excretion
Impaired bile flow (intra & extra hepatic)
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
Resistance to flow through the portal system. May be prehepatic, intrahepatic, extrahepatic.
Cirrhosis is the most common cause in Western cultures. Also cause by portal vein thrombosis, Budd Chiari, schistomiasis
SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS
High mortality if not recognised early
Occurs in the setting of clinically appreciable ascites
Fever (although can by mildly hypothermic)
Abdominal pain / tenderness – although abdomen is rarely rigid.
Altered mental status – can be very subtle
Also – diarrhoea, paralytic ileus, hypotension
Translocation of gram negative gut flora
Rx – early resuscitation, gram negative antibiotic cover, asicitic tap (check plt and coags first!)
Triggers include GI bleeds, TIPSS, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, drugs/alcohol/analgesics, diuretics, renal failure
Treatment also consists of correcting any underlying precipitants
Primary prophylaxis – endoscopic ligation and non selective beta blocker. Repeat scopes until confirmation that varices are healed.
Terlipressin
Vasoconstrictor. Prodrug of vasopressin
Use with caution in unstable angina / MI. Can cause bronchospasm
Octreotide is an alternative
Should be used in conjunction with endoscopic therapy
Meta-analysis shows that use of vasoconstrictors decrease 7 day mortality, improve haemostasis, decrease transfusion requirement, decrease duration of hospitalisation.
Banding ligation is superior to sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy may be tried if ligation fails or is not possible. PPI should then be given to prevent ulceration at injection site.
Concomitant use of vasoconstrictor is superior than either method alone.
If patient has early rebleed (<6/52) – consider use of Blakemore tube in an intubated patient (high risk aspiration) as temporising measure while preparing for TIPSS procedure (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) or surgery.
Toxic alcohols are often co-ingested with ethanol.
Fantastic review article on toxicology of methanol:
Barceloux DG, Bond R, Krenzelok EP et al. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology practice guidelines on the treatment of methanol poisoning. Journal of Toxicology – Clinical Toxicology 2002; 40(4):415-446
Fomepizole is an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, not currently available in Australia. Used in methanol & ethylene glycol poisonings.
Ethanol blocks formation of toxic metabolites in toxic alcohol ingestions as it has higher affinity for alcohol dehydrogenase (x50 in article above, x20 according to tox handbook). Loading dose ‘3x40ml shots of vodka in 70kg adult omit loading dose in already intoxicated patients, then 1x40ml shot every hr thereafter. Toxic alcohols are then not metabolised and are excreted unchanged by kidney.