Methadone, Metoclopramide and Metronidazole Interaction Causing Torsades de Pointes.

There are several classes of medications that can cause prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval and potentially Torsades de Pointes (TdP). Most of these medications are commonly used in the emergency department, and interaction between these medications increases the risk of this iatrogenic complication. We describe a patient on methadone therapy who developed TdP after she received metoclopramide and metronidazole. Interaction between different classes of medications can increase the risk of QTc prolongation and TdP. Awareness of this condition and its risk factors need continuous reinforcement among all hospital personnel to reduce the risk of this life-threatening complication.

Cocaine Use and Splenic Rupture: A Rare Yet Serious Association.

Cocaine abuse is frequent in patients visiting the emergency department. The knowledge of the cardiovascular complications of cocaine is excellent among physicians. However the awareness regarding its abdominal complications, the most important of which include gastroduodenal perforation, bowel ischemia and splenic rupture is less adequate. We report a 58-year-old with cocaine use who presents with upper abdominal pain and a rapidly worsening clinical status. He was found to have atraumatic splenic rupture causing a hemoperitoneum that was managed by intervention radiology guided splenic artery embolization. Splenic hemorrhage and rupture need timely recognition, as they are difficult to diagnose clinically and can be potentially fatal. In the encounter of patients with cocaine use who present with chest or upper abdominal pain, clinicians should consider imaging to look for splenic rupture as it is often masked or overlooked due to the complicated clinical picture.