title: Profound reversible myocardial depression after anaphylaxis.
abstract: Profound myocardial depression developed in 2 patients after severe anaphylactic reactions following the induction of anaesthesia in 1 case and a bee-sting in the other. Neither patient had pre-existent cardiac disease. In both patients haemodynamic assessment, radionuclide ventriculography, and two-dimensional echocardiography confirmed the clinical impression of profound systolic myocardial dysfunction. Haemodynamic stability was attained by intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, which was probably life-saving in both cases. Cardiac function improved rapidly although some contractile depression persisted for several days. At follow-up both patients had normal cardiac function with no evidence of underlying heart disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000443:Alcuronium / Q000009:adverse effects; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D013874:Thiopental / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D013874:Thiopental; D000443:Alcuronium