title: Quinidine-induced agranulocytosis of abrupt onset.
abstract: Drug-induced agranulocytosis is a clinical entity characterized by a selective reduction of circulating neutrophils, usually to a level less than 0.2 x 10(9)/l in relation to the administration of the drug. Quinidine is an antiarrhythmic agent widely used on an outpatient basis with some well-known hematological side effects. Its midterm administration has been related to a few cases of agranulocytosis. Herein, we describe the case of a 60-year-old man with atrial fibrillation who presented quinidine-induced agranulocytosis of abrupt onset only 3 days after the exposure to the drug, recovering normal levels of neutrophils during the 3rd hospitalization day. Pathogenic mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sureda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernández Madrid
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pérez Vaquero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez de Oteyza
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Escribano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Odriozola
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011802:Quinidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011802:Quinidine