Citation

Sandroni C, Cavallaro F, Caricato A, Scapigliati A, Fenici P, Antonelli M. Acta Anaesthesiol. Scand. 2006; 50(6): 759-761.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1399-6576.2006.01026.x

PMID

16987374

Abstract

We report two clinical cases of cardiac arrest, the former due to an adverse effect of intravenous (i.v.) propranolol in a patient with systemic sclerosis, the latter from a propranolol suicidal overdose. In both cases, conventional advanced life support (ALS) was ineffective but both patients eventually responded to the administration of enoximone, a phosphodiesterase III (PDE III) inhibitor. After the arrest, both patients regained consciousness and were discharged home. The chronotropic and inotropic effects of PDE III inhibitors are due to inhibition of intracellular PDEIII and are therefore unaffected by beta-blockers. These cases suggest that PDEIII inhibitors may be useful in restoring spontaneous circulation in cardiac arrest associated with beta-blocker administration when standard ALS is ineffective.

Language: en

Keywords

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adult; Advanced Cardiac Life Support; Cardiotonic Agents; Drug Overdose; Enoximone; Female; Heart Arrest; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Contraction; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Propranolol; Suicide, Attempted