Emergency department presentation of cocaine intoxication

All patients who presented to the emergency department as a result of cocaine intoxication during a one-year period were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred thirty-seven cases were reviewed. Patients presented with a wide variety of chief complaints including altered mental status (40%), chest pain (21%), syncope (19%), suicide attempt (13%), palpitations (12%), and seizures (12%), as well as numerous other complaints. There was only one death. Few patients required treatment within the ED; sixteen required hospitalization.