by Rebecca Seliga | May 21, 2026 | Critical Care, Featured, Grand Round Summaries, Resuscitation, Toxicology
In the ED we are certainly no stranger to seeing alcohol use disorder, its complications, and alcohol withdrawal. Every day in Canada, there are approximately 269 hospitalizations directly attributable to alcohol. This is more than admissions for acute MI. As the...
by Caroline Gregory, Hans Rosenberg, Ian Stiell | Jun 23, 2025 | Full Article, Journal Club, Neurology
Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 2/5 Lee CM, et al. Acad Emerg Med. 2024 May;31(5):515-524. Question and Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the safety and efficacy of phenobarbital to benzodiazepines for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal...
by Shahbaz Syed | Oct 24, 2024 | Airway, Anesthesiology, Commentary, Critical Care, Featured, Resuscitation
Precedex (dexmedetomidine) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist increasingly used in critical care environments for sedation and anxiolysis. It offers a unique profile of sedation without respiratory depression, making it an attractive option in various clinical...
by Hans Rosenberg | Oct 5, 2020 | Addictions, Journal Club, Toxicology
Methodology: 3/5 Usefulness: 2/5 Anton RF, et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2020 Mar 9;180(5):1-9. Question and Methods: Blinded randomized control trial comparing gabapentin to placebo in reducing the number of heavy drinking days in alcohol use disorder treatment. Findings:...
by Michael Wong, Alex Coutin | Aug 20, 2020 | Addictions, Critical Care, Featured, mental health, psychiatry
In part 1 of this 2-part series, we discussed diagnosis and initial management of alcohol withdrawal. In part 2, we discuss the role of the benzodiazepines on discharge, how to use gabapentin, naltrexone, and communication strategies to optimize discharge to help your...
