Pejcic AV, Milosavljevic MN, Jankovic S, Davidovic G, Folic MM, Folic ND. Kounis Syndrome Associated With the Use of Diclofenac.
Tex Heart Inst J 2023;
50:490621. [PMID:
36735919 PMCID:
PMC9969777 DOI:
10.14503/thij-21-7802]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Diclofenac is a widely used analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic drug. In several case reports, its use was associated with the occurrence of Kounis syndrome. The aim of this review was to investigate and summarize published cases of Kounis syndrome suspected to be associated with the use of diclofenac.
METHODS
Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Serbian Citation Index.
RESULTS
Twenty publications describing the 20 patients who met inclusion criteria were included in the systematic review. Specified patient ages ranged from 34 to 81 years. Eighteen (90.0%) patients were male. Five patients (25.0%) reported a previous reaction to diclofenac. Reported time from the used dose of diclofenac to onset of the first reaction symptoms ranged from immediately to 5 hours. Diclofenac caused both type I and type II Kounis syndrome, with the presence of various cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and respiratory signs and symptoms. Most patients experienced hypotension (n = 15 [75.0%]) and chest pain (n = 12 [60.0%]). The most frequently reported finding on electrocardiogram was ST-segment elevations (n = 17 [85.0%]). Coronary angiogram showed normal coronary vessels in 9 patients (45.0%), with some pathologic findings in 8 patients (40.0%).
CONCLUSION
Clinicians should be aware that Kounis syndrome may be an adverse effect of diclofenac. Prompt recognition and withdrawal of the drug, with treatment of both allergic and cardiac symptoms simultaneously, is important.
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