Citation

Katz KD, Leonetti AL, Bailey BC, Surmaitis RM, Eustice ER, Kacinko S, Wheatley SM. West. J. Emerg. Med. 2016; 17(3): 290-294.

Affiliation

Pediatric Critical Care, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, California Chapter of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine)

DOI

10.5811/westjem.2016.2.29519

PMID

27330661

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoid use has risen at alarming rates. This case series describes 11 patients exposed to the synthetic cannabinoid, MAB-CHMINACA who presented to an emergency department with life-threatening toxicity including obtundation, severe agitation, seizures and death. All patients required sedatives for agitation, nine required endotracheal intubation, three experienced seizures, and one developed hyperthermia. One developed anoxic brain injury, rhabdomyolysis and died. A significant number were pediatric patients. The mainstay of treatment was aggressive sedation and respiratory support. Synthetic cannabinoids pose a major public health risk. Emergency physicians must be aware of their clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.

Language: en