Lacosamide Associated Complete Heart Block in Elderly

Cardiac adverse events associated with lacosamide: a disproportionality analysis of the FAERS database

Lacosamide was the first approved third-generation antiepileptic drug. However, real-world data regarding its adverse cardiac reactions in large samples still need to be completed. We evaluated the cardiac safety profile of lacosamide using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). We performed disproportionality analysis computing reporting odds ratio (ROR) as a quantitative metric to assess the signal of lacosamide-related cardiac adverse events (AEs) from 2013 Q1 to 2022 Q4. The signal was considered significant when the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the ROR exceeded 1, and ≥ 5 AEs were reported. Serious and nonserious cases were compared by statistical analysis, and signals were further prioritized using a rating scale. A total of 812 cardiac AEs associated with lacosamide were identified, and 92 signals were detected, of which 17 AEs were significantly associated signals. The median time-to-onset (TTO) for moderate priority signals was 10 days, whereas for weak priority signals, it was 54 days. Notably, all cardiac AEs exhibited an early failing pattern, indicating the risk gradually decreasing. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the FAERS database and prioritization of cardiac AE signals, our research enhances the awareness among healthcare professionals regarding cardiac AEs associated with lacosamide.

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Concerns of Intravenous Lacosamide Therapy in Epilepsy Patients

Objective

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play an important role in neuronal excitability and epilepsies. In addition to the brain, VGSCs are also abundant enriched in cardiac tissues and are responsible for normal cardiac rhythm. Theoretically, sodium channel blocking antiseizure medications (SCB-ASMs) may have unwanted cardiac side effects. Lacosamide (LCM) is increasingly used in patients with status epilepticus (SE) due to the availability of intravenous formula. The concerns about the proarrhythmic effect are even higher due to the need for rapid administration of LCM. There were limited data on the cardiac safety of intravenous LCM. Hereby, we performed a study to observe the effect of intravenous loading of LCM in patients with seizures in our Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the patients using parenteral LCM for seizures in NICU. A routine infusion time of 30 min was performed. The electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure were recorded before and after LCM injection.

Results

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 38 patients using LCM for treating seizures. Two patients had cardiac side effects after LCM loading, one (3.0%) with new-onset first-degree AV block and the other (3.0%) with atrial premature complex. For the quantitative changes of ECG parameter analysis, there was no change in QRS complex, corrected QT intervals, and heart rate except that the PR interval was mildly increased. A mild decrease in the diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were also observed. None of the above-mentioned parameter alterations required clinical intervention.

Conclusion

We evaluated the cardiac safety concern in real-world epilepsy patients requiring intravenous LCM. Near half of this cohort responded to LCM therapy and there was no life-threatening cardiac adverse effect. Intravenous LCM does have some effects on the ECG parameters and blood pressure but without clinical relevance. Despite the theoretical concern of cardiac adverse effects of LCM, the benefit of seizure control outweighed the risk in patients with status epilepticus or seizure clusters, such as hyperthermia, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmias, or cardiovascular collapse.

Lacosamide-associated second-degree atrioventricular block in a healthy, young athlete

Lacosamide enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels and can lead to dose-dependent PR interval prolongation. Previously, lacosamide has been associated with second-degree atrioventricular (AV) heart block in the context of multiple medical comorbidities and/or in the elderly with multimorbidity on other dromotropic agents. We report a case of second-degree AV block occurring in a healthy, athletic young adult. The patient had baseline bradycardia with no known cardiac comorbidities. He was exquisitely sensitive to lacosamide with EKG and telemetry changes developing on the order of hours after receiving intravenous lacosamide. Lacosamide was subsequently stopped, the second-degree AV block was no longer present and EKG returned to baseline. We hypothesize that his sensitivity to lacosamide-induced AV block was possibly secondary to his baseline bradycardia with early repolarization changes. The case underscores the importance of surveillance cardiac monitoring. While medical comorbidities and an older age may portend a greater risk of PR prolongation, routine EKGs should be considered in all patients receiving lacosamide.

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This is a case of second-degree AV block with lacosamide in a healthy, young adult.

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PR prolongation can be seen with lacosamide irrespective of medical comorbidities.

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Surveillance cardiac monitoring should be considered in patients taking lacosamide.