open access
Arrhythmogenic effect of flecainide toxicity
open access
Abstract
supraventricular arrhythmia. In overdose cases, flecainide can induce life treating ventricular
arrhythmias and cardiogenic shock. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman admitted to
our intensive care unit for a regular monomorphic wide complex tachycardia (QRS duration
240 ms, right bundle branch block and superior axis morphology) without apparent P waves.
Clinical examination showed slight left congestive heart failure signs without cardiogenic
shock. An intravenous bolus of 10 mg adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) was ineffective to stop
the tachycardia. The diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia induced by flecainide overdose was
considered. 500 mL of intravenous 84‰ sodium bicarbonate was administrated. The patient’s
QRS narrowed immediately and 12-lead ECG showed sinus rhythm. Blood samples confirmed the
flecainide overdose and the clinical status progressively improved.
Abstract
supraventricular arrhythmia. In overdose cases, flecainide can induce life treating ventricular
arrhythmias and cardiogenic shock. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman admitted to
our intensive care unit for a regular monomorphic wide complex tachycardia (QRS duration
240 ms, right bundle branch block and superior axis morphology) without apparent P waves.
Clinical examination showed slight left congestive heart failure signs without cardiogenic
shock. An intravenous bolus of 10 mg adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) was ineffective to stop
the tachycardia. The diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia induced by flecainide overdose was
considered. 500 mL of intravenous 84‰ sodium bicarbonate was administrated. The patient’s
QRS narrowed immediately and 12-lead ECG showed sinus rhythm. Blood samples confirmed the
flecainide overdose and the clinical status progressively improved.
Keywords
flecainide, toxicity, overdose, ventricular arrhythmia, ATP
About this articleTitle
Arrhythmogenic effect of flecainide toxicity
Journal
Issue
Pages
203-205
Published online
2013-04-05
Page views
2685
Article views/downloads
3609
DOI
10.5603/CJ.2013.0035
Bibliographic record
Cardiol J 2013;20(2):203-205.
Keywords
flecainide
toxicity
overdose
ventricular arrhythmia
ATP
Authors
Pierre-Yves nd Courand
Franck Sibellas
Sylvain Ranc
Audrey Mullier
Gilbert Kirkorian
Eric Bonnefoy
