Proarrhythmia of nonantiarrhythmic drugs.
Proarrhythmic effects of nonantiarrhythmic drugs have not been as extensively studied or reported compared with the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs. The proarrhythmic incidence of many of these agents is not accurately known. In some instances, the facilitation of arrhythmias may be the result of compounding clinical factors. Many agents, however, share structural similarities to antiarrhythmics and manifest the same arrhythmic tendencies. Many reports of proarrhythmia may represent toxic rather than proarrhythmic effects, and in vitro studies to elicit the underlying mechanisms may be warranted for the more common drugs. This report summarizes reported arrhythmic effects of a variety of commonly utilized nonantiarrhythmic drugs. The incidence and mechanism of the proarrhythmia is not always clear. The clinician, however, should be aware of reported events to appropriately diagnose and treat the arrhythmia.
Martyn
R
R
Department of Medicine, Sinai Hospital, Detroit, MI 48235-2899.
Somberg
J C
JC
Kerin
N Z
NZ
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002395:Catecholamines