[Prolongation of the Q-T interval and hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias probably induced by terfenadine use in liver cirrhosis patients].
The authors describe the prolongation of Q-T interval and secondary appearance of ventricular sustained ectopic beats in a 57 years old cirrhotic female treated for 4 days with antihistaminic drug (terfenadine) 240 mg/die/os. The pro-arrhythmic properties of terfenadine may be due to the quinidine-like mechanism of the drug and is strictly linked to the direct effect of the drug on H1 histaminergic receptors, which cause the prolongation of the myocardial cells action potential.
Venturini
E
E
Medicina I, U.S.L. 14, Bassa val di Cecina.
Borghi
E
E
Maurini
V
V
Vecce
R
R
Carnicelli
A
A
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000009:adverse effects*
D016593:Terfenadine
Allungamento dell'intervallo Q-T ed aritmie ventricolari ipercinetiche probabilmente indotte dall'uso di terfenadina in paziente con cirrosi epatica.