Abstract
A 37-year-old woman took 2.5 g of amantadine hydrochloride in a suicide attempt. Subsequently, cardiopulmonary arrest developed and was treated successfully. During the arrest and over the subsequent 48 hours, malignant tachyarrhythmlas were manifested by torsade de pointe and repeated episodes of ventricular fibrillation. Therapy with adrenergic agents such as isoproterenol and particularly dopamine seemed to exacerbate the ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The patient subsequently died of aspiration pneumonia and respiratory distress, and postmortem examination revealed a normal cardiovascular system. It appears that the dopaminergic activity of amantadine has potential for induction of malignant arrhythmias, particularly in the face of adrenergic agents such as dopamine and isoproterenol. This previously unreported observation needs to be considered in critically ill patients with amantadine toxicity.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
