Drugs and Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia Risk: Results from the DARE Study Cohort

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Drugs and Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia Risk: Results from the DARE Study Cohort Open Access Research BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016627 on 16 October 2017. Downloaded from Drugs and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia risk: results from the DARE study cohort Abigail L Coughtrie,1,2 Elijah R Behr,3,4 Deborah Layton,1,2 Vanessa Marshall,1 A John Camm,3,4,5 Saad A W Shakir1,2 To cite: Coughtrie AL, Behr ER, ABSTRACT Strengths and limitations of this study Layton D, et al. Drugs and Objectives To establish a unique sample of proarrhythmia life-threatening ventricular cases, determine the characteristics of cases and estimate ► The Drug-induced Arrhythmia Risk Evaluation study arrhythmia risk: results from the the contribution of individual drugs to the incidence of DARE study cohort. BMJ Open has allowed the development of a cohort of cases of proarrhythmia within these cases. 2017;7:e016627. doi:10.1136/ proarrhythmia. Setting Suspected proarrhythmia cases were referred bmjopen-2017-016627 ► These cases have provided crucial safety by cardiologists across England between 2003 and 2011. information, as well as underlying clinical and ► Prepublication history for Information on demography, symptoms, prior medical and genetic data. this paper is available online. drug histories and data from hospital notes were collected. ► Only patients who did not die as a result of the To view these files please visit Participants Two expert cardiologists reviewed data the journal online (http:// dx. doi. proarrhythmia could be included. for 293 referred cases: 130 were included. Inclusion org/ 10. 1136/ bmjopen- 2017- ► Referral of cases by cardiologists alone may have criteria were new onset or exacerbation of pre-existing 016627). led to the underestimation of the prevalence of drug- ventricular arrhythmias, QTc >500 ms, QTc >450 ms induced arrhythmia from non-cardiac drugs. Received 20 March 2017 (men) or >470 ms (women) with cardiac syncope, all ► The analysis of ethnicity and differences in risk of QT Revised 5 July 2017 secondary to drug administration. Exclusion criteria were prolongation could not be investigated. Accepted 10 August 2017 acute ischaemia and ischaemic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia at presentation, structural heart disease, consent withdrawn or deceased prior to study. Descriptive analysis of Caucasian cases (95% of included cases, arrhythmic events relate to marked prolon- n=124) and culpable drug exposures was performed. gation of the QT interval of the ECG, which Results Of the 124 Caucasian cases, 95 (77%) were QTc http://bmjopen.bmj.com/ can lead to the distinctive polymorphic interval prolongation-related; mean age was 62 years (SD 15), and 63% were female. Cardiovascular comorbidities ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ‘Torsades included hypertension (53%) and patient-reported ‘heart de Pointes’ (TdP), which in turn may lead rhythm problems’ (73%). Family history of sudden death to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden 1 (36%) and hypokalaemia at presentation (27%) were death. This is also known as the acquired common. 165 culpable drug exposures were reported, long QT syndrome (aLQTS). Occasionally including antiarrhythmics (42%), of which amiodarone and polymorphic and monomorphic VT without flecainide were the most common. Sotalol, a beta-blocking QT prolongation can occur.2 3 In addition to agent with antiarrhythmic activity, was also common drugs, other causes of aLQTS include endo- on September 28, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. (15%). 26% reported multiple drugs, of which 84% crine disorders,4 cirrhosis,5 HIV and AIDS,6 reported at least one cytochrome (CYP) P450 inhibitor. 7 1Research Department, inflammation and immunity, autoimmune Potential pharmacodynamics interactions identified were Drug Safety Research Unit, disease,8 structural heart disease,9 electrolyte mainly QT prolongation (59%). Southampton, UK imbalances10 and eating disorders.11 2 Conclusions Antiarrhythmics, non-cardiac drugs and School of Pharmacy and Drug-induced arrhythmia is associated Biomedical Science, University drug combinations were found to be culpable in a large of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK cohort of 124 clinically validated proarrhythmia cases. with the use of cardiovascular agents (partic- 3Cardiology Clinical Academic Potential clinical factors that may warn the prescriber of ularly class III antiarrhythmic drugs) and Group, St George's University of potential proarrhythmia include older women, underlying also with many non-cardiovascular indicated London, London, UK 4 cardiovascular comorbidity, family history of sudden death drugs within different therapeutic cate- Cardiology Clinical Academic and hypokalaemia. gories, including antihistamines, antipsy- Group, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, chotics and antimicrobials; an up-to-date list London, UK is maintained on the CredibleMeds register 5Faculty of Medicine, Imperial INTRODUCTION (Azcert, https:// crediblemeds. org/). College London, London, UK Drug-induced arrhythmia, or proarrhythmia, Currently, there is substantial evidence to Correspondence to is the induction or exacerbation of cardiac support a clear association between over Dr Abigail L Coughtrie; arrhythmia associated with administration 50 different drugs and risk of TdP, even abigail. coughtrie@ dsru. org of a drug. The majority of drug-induced when taken according to the terms of the Coughtrie AL, et al. BMJ Open 2017;7:e016627. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016627 1 Open Access BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016627 on 16 October 2017. Downloaded from marketing authorisation, with a number of these being to sustained; severe prolongation of the QTc interval withdrawn from the market.12–14 Mechanistic proposals corrected using Bazett’s formula (>500 ms) without symp- for clinical features such as electrolyte imbalance include toms; or moderate prolongation of the QTc interval block of the rapid form of the delayed rectifier potas- (≥450 ms in men or ≥470 ms in women) with a clinical 15–17 sium current (IKr) in cardiomyocytes. Genetic factors history of cardiac syncope. have also been identified. These include single nucleo- All cases were reviewed by at least two experienced tide polymorphisms in the NOS1AP gene encoding the cardiologists, using hospital notes and interview ques- nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein18; and mutations tionnaire information, to ensure appropriate inclusion of in potassium channel genes KCNH2, KCNQ1, KCNE1 and cases. Patients with acute ischaemia, ischaemic polymor- KCNE2 and/or the sodium channel gene SCN5A.19 20 phic VT and structural heart disease (using symptoms, Such mutations are also recognised to cause congenital history of ischaemia and associated therapy, risk factors or long QT syndrome (cLQTS).21 Other notable risk factors ECG, stress test and coronary angiography results) were include female sex, bradycardia, recent cardioversion, excluded. Case presentation (asymptomatic, syncope, VT, pre-existing electrolyte disturbance, elevated plasma VF and/or TdP) and aetiology (QT prolongation-asso- concentrations and/or rapid infusion of QT-prolonging ciated and non-QT prolongation-associated) were ascer- drugs and digitalis toxicity.22–24 tained. Drugs received by the patient were adjudicated for Following the removal of several QT-prolonging drugs culpability in contributing to proarrhythmia according to because of associated sudden deaths,25–28 risk minimisa- the clinical data, timing of medication and the presenting tion strategies were introduced to mitigate the arrhythmic event that prompted referral. Prior reports of associa- risk posed by drugs, including clinical studies to assess the tion with proarrhythmia were also taken into account, proarrhythmic potential for a new drug within the premar- although drugs thought to contribute to causation but keting development programme.29 However it has been without such data were not excluded. recognised that there remain limitations in the conduct No sample size calculation could be performed for the of clinical studies designed to evaluate a drug’s potential study as, at the time of study initiation, the natural history, for QT prolongation and applicability of results to vulner- relative risk and potential risk factors of proarrhythmia able patients.30 Because of the unpredictable nature of were largely unknown. the condition, the Drug-induced Arrhythmia Risk Evalua- tion (DARE) study aimed to improve the understanding Variables of the epidemiology of proarrhythmia by establishing a A proforma questionnaire obtained patients’ self-re- cohort of cases of drug-induced arrhythmia reported ported information on age, gender, ethnicity, weight, throughout England, to characterise typical patients with height, smoking status, alcohol consumption, symptoms proarrhythmia and to describe the drugs found to be before, during and after the event (including ‘blackout’, culpable in these cases of proarrhythmia. This manuscript ‘near blackout’, ‘dizziness/light-headedness’ and ‘palpi- http://bmjopen.bmj.com/ is a per-protocol descriptive analysis of risk factors for the tations’), medication taken before, during and after the condition and the contribution of individual drugs to the event (including prescription, over-the-counter/herbal risk of drug-induced arrhythmic events. and recreational), any medical and cardiovascular history (including angina, myocardial infarction, ‘heart failure’, ‘heart valve problem’, ‘heart rhythm problem’, ‘high METHODS blood pressure’, hypokalaemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes Study design and setting
Recommended publications
  • Non Commercial Use Only
    Cardiogenetics 2017; volume 7:6304 Sudden death in a young patient with atrial fibrillation Case Report Correspondence: María Angeles Espinosa Castro, Inherited Cardiovascular Disease A 22-year-old man suffered a sudden Program, Cardiology Department, Gregorio María Tamargo, cardiac arrest without previous symptoms Marañón Hospital, Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, María Ángeles Espinosa, while he was at rest, waiting for a subway Madrid, Spain. Víctor Gómez-Carrillo, Miriam Juárez, train. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was Tel.: +34.91.586.82.90. immediately started using an Automated E-mail: [email protected] Francisco Fernández-Avilés, External Defibrillation that identified the Raquel Yotti Key words: KCNQ1; mutation; channelopa- presence of ventricular fibrillation and thy; sudden cardiac death; atrial fibrillation. Inherited Cardiovascular Disease delivered a shock. Return of spontaneous Program, Cardiology Department, circulation was achieved after three Contributions: MT, acquisition and interpreta- Gregorio Marañón Hospital, Madrid, attempts, being atrial fibrillation (AF) the tion of data for the work, ensuring that ques- Spain patient’s rhythm at this point (Figure 1). tions related to the accuracy or integrity of any He was admitted to our Cardiovascular part of the work is appropriately investigated Intensive Care Unit and therapeutic and resolved; MAE, conception of the work, hypothermia was performed over a period critical revision of the intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published, Abstract of 24 h. After completing hypothermia, ensuring that questions related to the accuracy rewarming, and another 24 h of controlled of any part of the work is appropriately inves- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young normothermia the patient awakened with no tigated and resolved; VG-C, acquisition and patients without structural heart disease is residual neurologic damage.
    [Show full text]
  • WHO Drug Information Vol
    WHO Drug Information Vol. 31, No. 3, 2017 WHO Drug Information Contents Medicines regulation 420 Post-market monitoring EMA platform gains trade mark; Automated 387 Regulatory systems in India FDA field alert reports 421 GMP compliance Indian manufacturers to submit self- WHO prequalification certification 421 Collaboration 402 Prequalification process quality China Food and Drug Administration improvement initiatives: 2010–2016 joins ICH; U.S.-EU cooperation in inspections; IGDRP, IPRF initiatives to join 422 Medicines labels Safety news Improved labelling in Australia 423 Under discussion 409 Safety warnings 425 Approved Brimonidine gel ; Lactose-containing L-glutamine ; Betrixaban ; C1 esterase injectable methylprednisolone inhibitor (human) ; Meropenem and ; Amoxicillin; Azithromycin ; Fluconazole, vaborbactam ; Delafloxacin ; Glecaprevir fosfluconazole ; DAAs and warfarin and pibrentasvir ; Sofosbuvir, velpatasvir ; Bendamustine ; Nivolumab ; Nivolumab, and voxilaprevir ; Cladribine ; Daunorubicin pembrolizumab ; Atezolizumab ; Ibrutinib and cytarabine ; Gemtuzumab ozogamicin ; Daclizumab ; Loxoprofen topical ; Enasidenib ; Neratinib ; Tivozanib ; preparations ; Denosumab ; Gabapentin Guselkumab ; Benznidazole ; Ciclosporin ; Hydroxocobalamine antidote kit paediatric eye drops ; Lutetium oxodotreotide 414 Diagnostics Gene cell therapy Hightop HIV home testing kits Tisagenlecleucel 414 Known risks Biosimilars Warfarin ; Local corticosteroids Bevacizumab; Adalimumab ; Hydroquinone skin lighteners Early access 415 Review outcomes Idebenone
    [Show full text]
  • Long QT Syndrome Testing
    Lab Management Guidelines V2.0.2020 Long QT Syndrome Testing MOL.TS.196.A v2.0.2020 Procedures addressed The inclusion of any procedure code in this table does not imply that the code is under management or requires prior authorization. Refer to the specific Health Plan's procedure code list for management requirements. Procedures addressed by this Procedure codes guideline Long QT Syndrome Sequencing 81413 Multigene Panel Long QT Syndrome Deletion/Duplication 81414 Panel Long QT Syndrome Known Familial 81403 Mutation Analysis ANK2 Sequencing 81479 CASQ2 Sequencing 81405 CAV3 Sequencing 81404 KCNE1 Sequencing 81479 KCNE2 Sequencing 81479 KCNH2 Sequencing 81406 KCNJ2 Sequencing 81403 KCNQ1 Sequencing 81406 RYR2 Sequencing 81408 SCN5A Sequencing 81407 SCN4B Sequencing 81479 AKAP9 Sequencing 81479 SNTA1 Sequencing 81479 KCNJ5 Sequencing 81479 CALM1 Sequencing 81479 CALM2 Sequencing 81479 CACNA1C Sequencing 81479 © 2020 eviCore healthcare. All Rights Reserved. 1 of 7 400 Buckwalter Place Boulevard, Bluffton, SC 29910 (800) 918-8924 www.eviCore.com Lab Management Guidelines V2.0.2020 What is Long QT syndrome Definition Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is caused by mutations in a number of genes, most of which are related to the functioning of sodium or potassium ion channels in the heart.1 Testing may offer prognostic information in some cases, as specific genes and even specific mutations within those genes may have some correlation to risk for sudden death, effectiveness of beta-blocker therapy, and preventive strategies.1-4 Signs and symptoms of long QT syndrome (LQTS) are variable, but may include a prolonged QT interval on an electrocardiogram, torsades de pointes, syncope, seizures, cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death.1,2 Many patients with LQTS can be largely asymptomatic, with cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death as the first and only symptom.
    [Show full text]
  • Weak Interaction of the Antimetabolite Drug Methotrexate with a Cavitand Derivative
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Article Weak Interaction of the Antimetabolite Drug Methotrexate with a Cavitand Derivative Zsolt Preisz 1,2, Zoltán Nagymihály 3,4, Beáta Lemli 1,4 ,László Kollár 3,4 and Sándor Kunsági-Máté 1,2,4,* 1 Institute of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti 12, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; [email protected] (Z.P.); [email protected] (B.L.) 2 Department of General and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 6, H 7624 Pécs, Hungary 3 Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 6, H 7624 Pécs, Hungary; [email protected] (Z.N.); [email protected] (L.K.) 4 János Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 20, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +36-72-503600 (ext. 35449) Received: 2 June 2020; Accepted: 16 June 2020; Published: 18 June 2020 Abstract: Formation of inclusion complexes involving a cavitand derivative (as host) and an antimetabolite drug, methotrexate (as guest) was investigated by photoluminescence measurements in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent. Molecular modeling performed in gas phase reflects that, due to the structural reasons, the cavitand can include the methotrexate in two forms: either by its opened structure with free androsta-4-en-3-one-17α-ethinyl arms or by the closed form when all the androsta-4-en-3-one-17α-ethinyl arms play role in the complex formation. Experiments reflect enthalpy driven complex formation in higher temperature range while at lower temperature the complexes are stabilized by the entropy gain.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Assessment Report
    Public Assessment Report Tifix 150mg and 500mg film-coated tablets Capecitabine BE/H/195/01-02/DC BE licence no: BE423552-BE423561 Applicant: Alfred E. Tiefenbacher, Germany Date: 27-04-2012 Toepassingsdatum : 15-09-10 Page 1 of 17 Blz. 1 van 17 This assessment report is published by the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products following Article 21 (3) and (4) of Directive 2001/83/EC, amended by Directive 2004/27/EC and Article 25 paragraph 4 of Directive 2001/82/EC as amended by 2004/28/EC. The report comments on the registration dossier that was submitted to the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products and its fellow organisations in all concerned EU member states. It reflects the scientific conclusion reached by the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products and all concerned member states at the end of the evaluation process and provides a summary of the grounds for approval of a marketing authorisation. This report is intended for all those involved with the safe and proper use of the medicinal product, i.e. healthcare professionals, patients and their family and carers. Some knowledge of medicines and diseases is expected of the latter category as the language in this report may be difficult for laymen to understand. This assessment report shall be updated by a following addendum whenever new information becomes available. To the best of the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products’ knowledge, this report does not contain any information that should not have been made available to the public. The Marketing Autorisation Holder has checked this report for the absence of any confidential information.
    [Show full text]
  • Hepatic Arterial Infusion for Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases Combined Or Not with Systemic Chemotherapy
    ANTICANCER RESEARCH 29: 4139-4144 (2009) Hepatic Arterial Infusion for Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases Combined or Not with Systemic Chemotherapy PIERLUIGI PILATI, ENZO MAMMANO, SIMONE MOCELLIN, EMANUELA TESSARI, MARIO LISE and DONATO NITTI Clinica Chirurgica II, Department of Oncological and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy Abstract. Background: The hypothesis was tested that CRC have liver metastases at autopsy, and the majority of systemic chemotherapy might contribute to improving overall these patients die as a result of their metastatic disease. survival (OS) of patients with unresectable colorectal liver Surgical resection represents the standard treatment of metastases treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI). resectable disease and is followed by 5-year overall Patients and Methods: We considered 153 consecutive patients survival (OS) rates of 20% to 40% (2, 3). Unfortunately, retrospectively divided into group A (n=72) treated with HAI only 20% of patients with liver metastases from CRC alone (floxuridine [FUDR] + leucovorin [LV]), and group B present with liver-confined resectable disease and/or are (n=81) treated with HAI combined with systemic candidates for major surgical operation (depending on chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil [5FU] + LV). Results: No comorbidities) (4, 5). significant difference in OS was observed between the two The therapeutic management of unresectable metastases is groups. Median OS was better in patients with <50% of liver more controversial and is generally associated with a dismal involvement (21.3 vs. 13.2 months; p<0.0001) and in prognosis. In fact, despite the improvements achieved with responders vs. non-responders (24.4 vs. 13.4 months; modern systemic chemotherapy (SCT) regimens (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) Study
    European Journal of Human Genetics (2014) 22, 297–306 & 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved 1018-4813/14 www.nature.com/ejhg REVIEW Atrial fibrillation: the role of common and rare genetic variants Morten S Olesen*,1,2,4, Morten W Nielsen1,2,4, Stig Haunsø1,2,3 and Jesper H Svendsen1,2,3 Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting 1–2% of the general population. A number of studies have demonstrated that AF, and in particular lone AF, has a substantial genetic component. Monogenic mutations in lone and familial AF, although rare, have been recognized for many years. Presently, mutations in 25 genes have been associated with AF. However, the complexity of monogenic AF is illustrated by the recent finding that both gain- and loss-of-function mutations in the same gene can cause AF. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have indicated that common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have a role in the development of AF. Following the first GWAS discovering the association between PITX2 and AF, several new GWAS reports have identified SNPs associated with susceptibility of AF. To date, nine SNPs have been associated with AF. The exact biological pathways involving these SNPs and the development of AF are now starting to be elucidated. Since the first GWAS, the number of papers concerning the genetic basis of AF has increased drastically and the majority of these papers are for the first time included in a review. In this review, we discuss the genetic basis of AF and the role of both common and rare genetic variants in the susceptibility of developing AF.
    [Show full text]
  • Should Genetic Testing Be Recommended for Long QT Syndrome Patients and Their Relatives?
    The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences Volume 11 Number 1 Fall 2017 - 2017 Should Genetic Testing Be Recommended for Long QT Syndrome Patients and Their Relatives? Menachem Braun Touro College Follow this and additional works at: https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas Part of the Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, and the Medical Genetics Commons Recommended Citation Braun, M. (2017). Should Genetic Testing Be Recommended for Long QT Syndrome Patients and Their Relatives?. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 11(1). Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol11/iss1/8 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Lander College of Arts and Sciences at Touro Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences by an authorized editor of Touro Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Should Genetic Testing be Recommended for Long QT Syndrome Patients and Their Relatives? Menachem Braun Menachem Braun graduated with a BS in Biology in September 2017. Abstract 7KH/RQJ476\QGURPH /476 LVDIDPLOLDOSRWHQWLDOO\IDWDOFDUGLDFDUUK\WKPLD7UDGLWLRQDOO\LWKDVEHHQGLDJQRVHGE\(&* Molecular studies have provided evidence that LQTS can be caused by a range of underlying molecular abnormalities. Genetic research has proven that different forms of LQTS have different genotypic bases. Therefore, it has become possible to diagnose WKHVSHFLÀFW\SHRIGLVHDVHJHQHWLFDOO\7KLVVWXG\H[DPLQHVWKHDGYDQFHPHQWVPDGHLQWKHSDVWWKLUW\\HDUVLQXQGHUVWDQGLQJ /476DQGUHVHDUFKUHJDUGLQJWKHXVHRIJHQHWLFWHVWLQJLQRUGHUWRGHWHUPLQHWKHEHQHÀWVRIJHQHWLFWHVWLQJIRUWKLVGLVHDVH$ survey of original studies which produced the information is presented here, and provides the reader with an understanding of the PHFKDQLFVRIWKHGLVHDVHDQGKRZWKH\GLIIHULQWKHVHYHUDOJHQHWLFYDULDQWV5HVHDUFKVKRZVWKDWWKHEHQHÀWRIJHQHWLFWHVWLQJ must be weighed against the personal implications in may have for a particular patient and his or her family.
    [Show full text]
  • DIURETICS Diuretics Are Drugs That Promote the Output of Urine Excreted by the Kidneys
    DIURETICS Diuretics are drugs that promote the output of urine excreted by the Kidneys. The primary action of most diuretics is the direct inhibition of Na+ transport at one or more of the four major anatomical sites along the nephron, where Na+ reabsorption takes place. The increased excretion of water and electrolytes by the kidneys is dependent on three different processes viz., glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption (active and passive) and tubular secretion. Diuretics are very effective in the treatment of Cardiac oedema, specifically the one related with congestive heart failure. They are employed extensively in various types of disorders, for example, nephritic syndrome, diabetes insipidus, nutritional oedema, cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, oedema of pregnancy and also to lower intraocular and cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Therapeutic Uses of Diuretics i) Congestive Heart Failure: The choice of the diuretic would depend on the severity of the disorder. In an emergency like acute pulmonary oedema, intravenous Furosemide or Sodium ethacrynate may be given. In less severe cases. Hydrochlorothiazide or Chlorthalidone may be used. Potassium-sparing diuretics like Spironolactone or Triamterene may be added to thiazide therapy. ii) Essential hypertension: The thiazides usually sever as primary antihypertensive agents. They may be used as sole agents in patients with mild hypertension or combined with other antihypertensives in more severe cases. iii) Hepatic cirrhosis: Potassium-sparing diuretics like Spironolactone may be employed. If Spironolactone alone fails, then a thiazide diuretic can be added cautiously. Furosemide or Ethacrymnic acid may have to be used if the oedema is regractory, together with spironolactone to lessen potassium loss. Serum potassium levels should be monitored periodically.
    [Show full text]
  • An Electrocardiographic Series of Flecainide Toxicity
    Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal xxx (xxxx) xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/IPEJ An electrocardiographic series of flecainide toxicity * Alexandra Smith , Gregg Gerasimon San Antonio Military Medical Center, Electrophysiology Division, Cardiology Section, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78234, USA article info abstract Article history: Anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) uniquely affect the various electrolyte channels in the heart and can slow Received 16 October 2018 conduction, increase refractoriness, and/or decrease automaticity with the goal of preventing tachyar- Received in revised form rhythmias. Due to these properties, these same drugs are by nature pro-arrhythmic. Vaughan-Williams 8 November 2018 classification Ic AADs belong to a class of medications that inhibit sodium channels, leading to decreased Accepted 27 November 2018 conduction velocity of myocytes and Purkinje fibers as well as to decreased automaticity of pacemaker Available online xxx cells. When present in toxic amounts, this leads to classic changes on the electrocardiogram (ECG) that are harbingers of potentially lethal arrhythmias. Presented is a clinical series of ECGs that occurred in a Keywords: fl Flecainide patient who presented with ecainide toxicity. © Antiarrhythmic drugs Copyright 2018, Indian Heart Rhythm Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open Toxicity access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Atrial fibrillation Flecainide toxicity can lead to bradycardia, sinoatrial block, and Abbreviations asystole, as well as to first and second degree atrioventricular block. Sinus bradycardia is more common in patients with pre-existing AAD Antiarrhythmic drug sinus node dysfunction [2].
    [Show full text]
  • Heart Failure — Managing Newly Diagnosed and Decompensated
    Clinical Guideline Heart failure: Managing newly diagnosed and decompensated patients admitted to hospital 1. Confirmation of Diagnosis Person with signs and symptoms suggesting heart failure Detailed history and clinical examination Consider aetiology for new diagnosis of heart Suspected diagnosis Confirmed failure or underlying cause for exacerbation of of heart failure diagnosis of heart chronic heart failure and exclude treatable Diagnosis has not failure causes. been confirmed by Diagnosis confirmed Arrange other investigations: echocardiogram by previous . CXR echocardiogram . ECG . FBC . U&Es and Creatinine . LFTs . TFTs . RBG . Cholesterol If current echocardiogram not Diagnosis confirmed by clinically relevant, echocardiogram, if possible Heart failure excluded so request repeat performed as an in-patient review diagnosis echo, if possible and adhering to Advancing performed as an in- Quality heart failure (AQHF) patient indicators Heart failure with preserved ejection Heart failure due to significant left ventricular fraction / diastolic dysfunction (EF systolic dysfunction (EF < 40%) >55%) • Update primary diagnosis on PCIS / -Update primary diagnosis on PCIS Cerner and document in casenotes /Cerner and document in casenotes. Proceed to Management of Confirmed Heart Failure Heart failure — managing newly diagnosed and decompensated patients in acute care — clinical guidelines, v1 Principal author: Dr P Saravanan Approved by Medicines Clinical Guideline Team: July 2013 Review by: July 2016 Page 1 of 27 2. Inpatient management Heart failure with preserved Heart failure due to left ventricular ejection fraction systolic dysfunction (EF < 40%) • Referral to heart failure specialist team. • Arrange admission to appropriate ward/unit Refer to Heart Failure Fluid balance: Drug management: Specialist Nurse for 1. Fluid restriction 1-2 litres in 24 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Amiodarone-Induced Torsade De Pointes in a Patient with Wolff
    Hellenic J Cardiol 2009; 50: 224-226 Case Report Amiodarone-Induced Torsade de Pointes in a Patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome 1 1 1,2 3 AAREF BADSHAH , BAKHTIAR MIRZA , MUHAMMAD JANJUA , RAJIV NAIR , 3 3 RUSSELL T. STEINMAN , JOHN F. COTANT 1Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Joseph Mercy-Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan, 2Department of Internal Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, 3Department of Cardiology, Saint Joseph Mercy-Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan, USA Key words: Amiodarone is generally regarded to have a high safety profile with a low incidence of arrhythmias. However, Atrial fibrillation, there have been reports of torsades de pointes under certain conditions, such as electrolyte imbalance or amiodarone, T-wave alternans, Wolff- concomitant antiarrhythmic therapy. We describe a case of amiodarone-induced torsade de pointes early Parkinson-White after initiation of intravenous amiodarone in the setting of T-wave alternans. syndrome, torsade de pointes. miodarone is generally regarded to mate total dose of 1 g), sinus rhythm was have a high safety profile with a low restored. The analysis of the ECG upon A incidence of arrhythmias. How- cardioversion revealed a short PR interval ever, there have been reports of torsades with QT interval prolongation (QTm 582 de pointes under certain conditions, such as ms, QTc 582 ms) with evidence of pre-ex- Manuscript received: electrolyte imbalance or concomitant an- citation (delta waves) in the precordial December 25, 2008; tiarrhythmic therapy. We describe a case of leads (Figure 2) and macroscopic T-wave Accepted: amiodarone-induced torsade de pointes ear- alternans. In light of his electrocardiogra- March 3, 2009.
    [Show full text]