Citation

Andre P, Berginiat N, Triaureau G, Lalande G. Urgences Med. 1997; 16(5): 205-207.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0923-2524(97)89779-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Some poisonings with antiarrhythmic drugs still have a poor prognosis, especially in cases of voluntary massive ingestion, despite progress in intensive care facilities and procedures. This case report concerns the suicidal intoxication of a 39-year-old female without any medical history who ingested six grams of flecainide (Vaughan-Williams class lc), probably associated with nadolol (beta-adrenergic blocking agent). Despite rapid intensive care, the outcome was unsuccessful, featuring a cardiac shock without response to drugs and severe cardiac rhythm and conduction problems. Flecainide blood level (1.9 mg/L) showed a toxic concentration, but was uncorrelated with the clinical severity and the ingested dose of six grams. We suggest the associated intoxication with a beta-adrenergic blocking agent may have been an aggravating factor hastening the lethal outcome.

Language: fr

Keywords

anti-arrhythmic agents; toxicity