Atrial fibrillation following physostigmine.
The side effects of physostigmine, a tertiary amine anticholinesterase agent commonly used to treat postanaesthetic depression caused by a large number of drugs, are thought to be fairly mild. A case is reported in which atrial fibrillation followed a total dose of 2 mg of this drug to a patient who was slow in recovering from a general anaesthetic. The arrhythmia was self-limiting and required no therapy. Indications and precautions for the use of physostigmine are discussed.
D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011182:Postoperative Care
D010830:Physostigmine