Respiratory failure produced by severe procainamide intoxication in a patient with preexisting peripheral neuropathy caused by amiodarone.
We describe a patient in whom respiratory failure, due to extreme neuromuscular weakness, was produced by procainamide intoxication superimposed on a peripheral neuropathy secondary to long-term amiodarone therapy. Respiratory failure reversed rapidly after procainamide was discontinued, and the serum level fell to a therapeutic range.
Miller
B
B
Section of Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Detroit, Detroit.
Skupin
A
A
Rubenfire
M
M
Bigman
O
O
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011342:Procainamide / Q000506:poisoning*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology
D011342:Procainamide; D000638:Amiodarone