Almost fatal ventricular arrhythmia associated with the use of psychotropic drugs

Authors

  • José Amado-Tineo Servicio de Emergencia de Adultos, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins EsSalud. Lima, Perú.; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3286-4650
  • Fernando Tazza-Quiroz Servicio de Emergencia de Adultos, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins EsSalud. Lima, Perú.
  • Marvin Vargas-Alayo Servicio de Emergencia de Adultos, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins EsSalud. Lima, Perú.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15381/anales.803.15995

Keywords:

Central Nervous System Agents; Cardiac Arrhythmias; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

Abstract

The use of psychotropic drugs is increasingly frequent due to emerging problems such as depression. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman who received antidepressant treatment (fluoxetine and levomepromazine) and arrived at the emergency room because lost consciousness in her home, evidencing two episodes of pulseless ventricular tachycardia during her hospital stay that responded satisfactorily to defibrillation and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The prolongation of the QT interval associated with the use of antidepressants and antipsychotics, as well as their risk factors, is discussed. Finally, it is important to have on mind the relationship between psychotropic drugs and potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias, making it necessary to perform an electrocardiogram to these patients who consult the emergency room.

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Published

2019-10-10

Issue

Vol. 80 No. 3 (2019)

Section

Reporte de Casos

License

Copyright (c) 2019 Anales de la Facultad de Medicina

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How to Cite

1.
Amado-Tineo J, Tazza-Quiroz F, Vargas-Alayo M. Almost fatal ventricular arrhythmia associated with the use of psychotropic drugs. An Fac med [Internet]. 2019 Oct. 10 [cited 2024 Jul. 17];80(3):346-9. Available from: https://revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe/index.php/anales/article/view/15995