Delirium Tremens and Cardiovascular Collapse: A Case Report

Delirium Tremens (DT), which contains severe mental and nervous system changes, is a clinical manifestation associated with withdrawal from alcohol. Occurrence of symptoms after stopping of alcohol is diagnostic criteria for DT. It occurs acutely. DT follows sudden alcohol withdrawal after prolonged intake of it. It is possible to be precipitated by external factors like infections, injury etc. Symptoms usually begin a few hours after cessation of alcohol intake and peak at 1 to 3 days, but they may last up to 1 week [2]. Major symptoms are tremors, hallucinations and seizures. Seizures related to alcohol withdrawal are more frequent in patients who had any episode of alcohol withdrawal syndrome before [3] Acoustic and verbal hallucinations, delusions and mood disturbances can also occur [4]. Other symptoms are malaise, weakness, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and fear. We aimed to emphasize serious cardiovascular complications of DT in addition to its severe mental status changes.