title: Cardiac conduction disturbances during carbamazepine therapy.
abstract: 3 cases of carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stokes-Adams attacks caused by intermittent total atrioventricular block, sino-atrial block with junctional escapade-rhytm and intermittent asystolia are reported. After cessation of CBZ treatment, the cardiac conduction disturbances disappeared. In 2 of the patients, the diagnosis was confirmed by resumption of treatment with CBZ after insertion of a demand pacemaker. If syncopes or changes in seizure-type occur in patients treated with CBZ, evaluation of cardiac conduction is recommended. Furthermore, it is recommended that cardiac function is evaluated before CBZ-treatment, especially in elderly patients.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000139:chemically induced; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000139:chemically induced; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D012848:Sinoatrial Block / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine