Last reviewed: 19 Dec 2020
Last updated: 31 Jan 2018
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- tachycardia
- hypertension
- hyperthermia
- agitation
- mydriasis
- diaphoresis
Risk factors
- high ambient temperature
- poverty
- cocaine body packing
- male gender
- plasma cholinesterase deficiency
- age 20-30 years
- history of cocaine use
- concomitant use of other sympathomimetics
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- ECG
- bedside serum glucose
- serum creatinine
- BUN
- serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
- serum troponin
- chest x-ray
- CT scan of brain
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Attending Physician
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
AS declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Head
Critical Care Division
The Methodist Hospital
Houston
TX
Disclosures
JZ declares that she has no competing interests.
Dean
School of Medicine
Campbelltown Campus
University of Western Sydney
Australia
Disclosures
AJ declares that she has no competing interests.
Clinical Director
Acute Medicine
Associate Medical Director
Consultant Emergency Medicine
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Lead and Consultant
Accident Emergency Medicine
St Thomas' Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
AP declares that he has no competing interests.
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