Blood alcohol concentration for monitoring ethanol treatment to prevent alcohol withdrawal in the intensive care unit.

Abstract Objective. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a serious complication during postoperative treatment in chronic alcoholics. Despite prophylactic treatment, AWS occurs in at least 25% of these patients after elective surgery. An established protocol for the prevention of AWS is ethanol administration. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible differences in ethanol dose and levels between successfully treated patients and those who developed AWS. Design. Prospective, observational study with retrospective post hoc analysis. Setting. Intensive care unit (ICU). Patients. Thirty-two alcohol-dependent patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery after trauma with postoperativ…