title: Amphotericin-induced heart-rate decrease in children.
abstract: We describe six children with acute decreases in heart rate temporally related to amphotericin B administration. All patients had achieved their maximal dose within 3 to 4 days. Heart-rate drops occurred as early as day 3 but could be delayed up to day 7 after start of therapy. The mean heart rate dropped from 104 +/- 8/min (range 96 to 114) to 62 +/- 8/min (range 48 to 72) (P = 0.0001). A slower heart rate than baseline was noted during the entire duration of drug administration, from 60 minutes of starting the infusion to 220 minutes (mean 120 +/- 40) after discontinuation of the infusion. This reaction was noted in six of 90 (6.7%) patients who had amphotericin. These six children were compared with six age-matched children who received the drug but in whom such changes in heart rate did not develop. The method of administration of amphotericin B was similar in both patients and controls, starting with 0.25 mg/kg/day and increasing by 0.25 mg/kg/day up to 1 mg/kg/day. Children with heart-rate drop received amphotericin for 4.6 +/- 1.8 days, significantly shorter than their controls (12.6 +/- 6.9 days) (P = 0.02), suggesting that this adverse effect has led to early discontinuation of amphotericin therapy. Physicians and nurses caring for children receiving amphotericin B should be aware of this potential adverse effect, which can be serious in a patient with an underlying heart condition or in a patient who is already on heart-rate-lowering drugs.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domaratzki
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B