Optimization of Intensive Care of Patients with Delirium Tremens

Abstract

Objective: to improve intensive therapy for acute ethanol intoxications complicated by the development of delirium tremens. Subjects and methods. The data of examination and treatment were analyzed in 173 patients with acute severe ethanol intoxications complicated by the development of delirium tremens, out of them 105 patients received Cytoflavin incorporated into a treatment regimen and 68 patients were treated according to convention al procedures. In addition to physical examination, the clinical course of the disease, blood gas composition and water electrolyte balance parameters, and circulating blood volume were estimated by a dye hematocrit method. Results. Correction of somatic dysfunctions and metabolic disorders with Cytoflavin along with medical sleep was found to lead to rapid arrest of the signs of the psychosis, to prevent brain edema, to have a positive impact on the further status of patients, to considerably reduce the period of asthenization and to ameliorate its manifestations. Conclusion. The findings may serve as a basis for the wide use of Cytoflavin in a treatment regimen in narco logical practice since it leads to normalization of metabolic processes and hence to a more rapid recovery.