Verapamil withdrawal as a possible cause of myocardial infarction in a hypertensive woman with a normal coronary angiogram.
Verapamil is an effective and relatively-safe antihypertensive drug. Serious adverse effects are uncommon and mainly have been related to the depression of cardiac contractility and conduction, especially when the drug is combined with beta-blocking agents. We report a case in which myocardial infarction coincided with the introduction of captopril and the withdrawal of verapamil in a previously asymptomatic woman with severe hypertension. Possible mechanisms that involve a verapamil-related increase in platelet and/or vascular alpha 2-adrenoreceptor affinity for catecholamines are discussed.
Dimmitt
S B
SB
Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Royal Perth Hospital.
Beilin
L J
LJ
Hockings
B E
BE
D000328:Adult; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D014700:Verapamil / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014700:Verapamil