Lithium causing a serious sinus-node dysfunction at therapeutic doses.
The cardiovascular effects of lithium have been indexed in literature since 1900, most frequently in cases of intoxication. We recently studied the exceptional case of a patient showing a serious sinus node dysfunction during lithium treatment. The serum lithium levels were always within the therapeutic range. After two endocardial explorations and withdrawal of lithium, we found that the sinus node dysfunction was due to lithium and reversible after withdrawal of it. Some ignored dysfunctions could exist with a regularly controlled treatment.
D000404:Ajmaline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000187:drug effects*
D000404:Ajmaline; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium