Citation

Amiri H, Zamani N, Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Shadnia S. JRSM cardiovascular disease 2016; 5: e2048004016682178.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016)

DOI

10.1177/2048004016682178

PMID

28228939

PMCID

PMC5308442

Abstract

Poisoning with tricyclic antidepressants is an important cause of drug-related self-poisoning in the developed world and a very common cause of poisoning and mortality in developing countries. Electrocardiographic manifestations of most tricyclic antidepressant-poisoned patients resolve by the administration of 1-2 mEq/kg of sodium bicarbonate. Some rare cases have been reported who have been resistant to the long-term or high doses of bicarbonate administration. We present a case of acute tricyclic antidepressant toxicity referring with status epilepticus, hypotension, and refractory QRS complex widening that resolved after the intravenous administration of 2650 mEq sodium bicarbonate.

Language: en

Keywords

poisoning; deliberate self-harm; Tricyclic antidepressants; bicarbonate therapy; cardiotoxic drugs