Cardiac arrest in a young woman with the long QT syndrome and concomitant astemizole ingestion.
Ventricular fibrillation developed in a 19 year old woman taking the antihistamine astemizole. She was successfully resuscitated. QTc prolongation was found and persisted despite withdrawal of the drug. Aggravation of congenital long QTc syndrome by astemizole is postulated. More caution should be exercised with the use of this drug.
Broadhurst
P
P
Department of Cardiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
Nathan
A W
AW
D000328:Adult; D016589:Astemizole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000503:physiopathology
D016589:Astemizole