Severe hypotension due to the use of bretylium for postcardiotomy ventricular arrhythmias.
We describe three patients who developed refractory hypotension after the administration of bretylium tosylate for postoperative ventricular ectopy. In one patient, the administration of vasopressors and fluid restored the blood pressure, but in the other two patients these measures failed, necessitating open-heart cardiac massage. The hemodynamic effects of bretylium are unpredictable; therefore, this drug should be used cautiously in the treatment of postcardiotomy ventricular arrhythmias.
D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001949:Bretylium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001950:Bretylium Tosylate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D001949:Bretylium Compounds; D001950:Bretylium Tosylate