|
1
|
Khalid M, Sheikh W, Sherazi M, Imran TF. Lithium-Induced Bradycardia and Cardiomyopathy in a Patient With Bipolar Disorder and Paranoid Schizophrenia. Cureus 2023; 15:e40949. [PMID: 37503482 PMCID: PMC10368798 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium is primarily known to cause neurological and gastrointestinal side effects, however, cardiac effects have been rarely reported. We present a unique case of lithium cardiotoxicity causing bradyarrhythmia and cardiomyopathy. A 68-year-old man with a history of paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder presented with altered mental status. On examination, the patient was lethargic, afebrile, with dry oral mucosa, and a regular pulse of 42 bpm. Labs revealed acute kidney injury and elevated lithium levels. Electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed a junctional escape rhythm with a right bundle morphology. Lithium toxicity was strongly suspected in the setting of raised serum lithium levels, decreased oral intake and acute kidney injury. The patient was found to have lithium-induced junctional bradycardia. Transvenous pacing was not indicated as the patient responded to fluids and atropine and had no severe hemodynamic compromise. As his serum lithium levels decreased, the bradycardia gradually improved. His echocardiogram revealed moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Workup of cardiomyopathies was negative: no obstructive coronary artery disease; viral panel, and autoimmune markers were unremarkable. Thus, his cardiomyopathy was attributed to lithium toxicity. Lithium cardiotoxicity may manifest as arrhythmias and/or cardiomyopathy. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for lithium cardiotoxicity due to the narrow therapeutic range of lithium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahnoor Khalid
- Internal Medicine, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, PAK
- Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, USA
| | - Wasiq Sheikh
- Cardiology, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, USA
- Cardiology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Mahnoor Sherazi
- Internal Medicine, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Tasnim F Imran
- Cardiology, Providence VA Medical Center, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA
- Cardiology, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Buda V, Prelipcean A, Cozma D, Man DE, Negres S, Scurtu A, Suciu M, Andor M, Danciu C, Crisan S, Dehelean CA, Petrescu L, Rachieru C. An Up-to-Date Article Regarding Particularities of Drug Treatment in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure. J Clin Med 2022; 11:2020. [PMID: 35407628 PMCID: PMC8999552 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11072020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the prevalence of heart failure (HF) increases with age, HF is now one of the most common reasons for the hospitalization of elderly people. Although the treatment strategies and overall outcomes of HF patients have improved over time, hospitalization and mortality rates remain elevated, especially in developed countries where populations are aging. Therefore, this paper is intended to be a valuable multidisciplinary source of information for both doctors (cardiologists and general physicians) and pharmacists in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality of heart failure patients. We address several aspects regarding pharmacological treatment (including new approaches in HF treatment strategies [sacubitril/valsartan combination and sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors]), as well as the particularities of patients (age-induced changes and sex differences) and treatment (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in drugs; cardiorenal syndrome). The article also highlights several drugs and food supplements that may worsen the prognosis of HF patients and discusses some potential drug-drug interactions, their consequences and recommendations for health care providers, as well as the risks of adverse drug reactions and treatment discontinuation, as an interdisciplinary approach to treatment is essential for HF patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Buda
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (V.B.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (C.D.); (C.A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Prelipcean
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (V.B.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (C.D.); (C.A.D.)
| | - Dragos Cozma
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.E.M.); (M.A.); (S.C.); (L.P.); (C.R.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Timisoara, 13A Gheorghe Adam Street, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Dana Emilia Man
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.E.M.); (M.A.); (S.C.); (L.P.); (C.R.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Timisoara, 13A Gheorghe Adam Street, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Simona Negres
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Alexandra Scurtu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (V.B.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (C.D.); (C.A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria Suciu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (V.B.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (C.D.); (C.A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Minodora Andor
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.E.M.); (M.A.); (S.C.); (L.P.); (C.R.)
| | - Corina Danciu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (V.B.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (C.D.); (C.A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Simina Crisan
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.E.M.); (M.A.); (S.C.); (L.P.); (C.R.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Timisoara, 13A Gheorghe Adam Street, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Adriana Dehelean
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (V.B.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (C.D.); (C.A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Lucian Petrescu
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.E.M.); (M.A.); (S.C.); (L.P.); (C.R.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Timisoara, 13A Gheorghe Adam Street, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ciprian Rachieru
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.E.M.); (M.A.); (S.C.); (L.P.); (C.R.)
- Center for Advanced Research in Cardiovascular Pathology and Hemostasis, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| |
Collapse
|