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Concentrations, Clinical Findings, and Outcome of Patients Presenting to an ED |
Citation:
Blaho K, Logan B, Winbery S, Park L, and Schwilke E; Blood cocaine and metabolite concentrations, clinical findings, and outcome of patients presenting to an ED. Am J Emerg Med. 2000 Sep;18(5):593-8.
CHAS NOTE:
Because the abstract doesn't sound as though there's anything "new" or "vital" here, I didn't pay the $30 to purchase the full article. However, I'm posting the abstract here for anyone who needs it. If YOU want to pay for the full article, go to its
American Journal of Emergency Medicine Abstract Page, and click on the PDF link, offered at the right of the abstract.
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THANX, CHAS
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 18, Issue 5 , September 2000, Pages 593-598.
Blood Cocaine and Metabolite Concentrations, Clinical Findings, and Outcome of Patients Presenting to an ED
Kari Blaho PhD, Barry Logan PhD, Stephen Winbery PhD, MD, Lynda Park MD and Eugene Schwilke BS
From the *Department of Emergency Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, UT Medical Group; and †Washington State Toxicology Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Received 7 December 1999; revised 13 January 2000. Available online 16 May 2002.
Abstract
The purpose was to determine if blood cocaine or metabolite concentrations would accurately reflect the severity of clinical findings in patients presenting to the emergency department, identifying those requiring therapeutic intervention or those at risk for poor outcome. Blood for determination of cocaine and metabolite concentrations was drawn from patients and were determined by an extractive alkylation/mass spectrometry procedure. The mean blood concentrations (mg/L) in 111 patients were as follows: cocaine, 0.26 ± 0.5; ecgonine 0.42 ± 0.47; ecgonine methyl ester 0.21 ± 0.37, norcocaine 0.03 ± 0.17; benzoylecgonine 1.28 ± 1.29, cocaethylene 0.02 ± 0.06. Two patients died, 23 required hospital admission, and 88 were discharged from the ED. There was no statistical correlation between cocaine or any metabolite concentration and the severity of clinical symptoms, disposition, need for treatment or outcome. Blood cocaine and metabolite concentrations should be interpreted with caution because they vary widely and do not predict the severity of clinical findings, the incidence of adverse effects, outcome, or need for interventional therapy. (Am J Emerg Med 2000;18:593-598.)
Email Charly at: c-d-miller@neb.rr.com