Inpatient alcohol withdrawal syndrome

A 55-year-old man was admitted for a femur fracture; an alcohol fetor was noted on admission. The following day, the patient began to experience tremors and nervousness. Intravenous haloperidol was administered. Shortly afterwards, the patient experienced two generalized seizures and then began to experience delirium and uncontrollable agitation. The patient was diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal syndrome; high doses of intravenous midazolam were prescribed and infused. A few hours later, the patient presented signs of respiratory depression, requiring a transfer to the intensive care unit. After a review of the medical history, it was determined that the patient had been admitted on three previous occasions due to alcohol withdrawal and had progressed to delirium tremens after experiencing seizures.Can the risk of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the need for prophylactic treatment be assessed on admission? Were appropriate monitoring and treatment measures employed? Would it have been possible to change his outcome?

ResumenUn varón de 55 años ingresó por fractura de fémur. A su llegada presentaba fétor enólico. Al día siguiente comenzó con temblor y nerviosismo, por lo que se administró haloperidol por vía intravenosa. Poco después presentó dos crisis comiciales generalizadas y posteriormente desarrolló un delirio con agresividad incontrolable. Se planteó el diagnóstico de síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica y se pautó midazolam por vía intravenosa en perfusión a dosis altas. A las pocas horas evolucionó a depresión respiratoria que obligó a su traslado a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Revisados sus antecedentes, el enfermo había ingresado en tres ocasiones previas por síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica, que tras presentar crisis comiciales evolucionó a delirium tremens.¿Se podía valorar al ingreso el riesgo de desarrollar un síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica y la necesidad de profilaxis farmacológica? ¿Se utilizaron las medidas de control y tratamiento adecuadas? ¿Hubiera sido posible modificar su evolución clínica?