title: Fatality due to intravenous diltiazem for acute ventricular rate control.
abstract: Progressive, sustained bradycardia resulting in asystole and subsequent death is reported in a 70-year-old woman with hyperkalemia and suspected digoxin toxicity following a 0.25 mg/kg intravenous diltiazem dose for treatment of atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. The possible pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions between diltiazem, digoxin, and an elevated plasma potassium concentration are discussed and related to the outcome of the case. The routine practice of concomitant administration of diltiazem for rapid ventricular rate control and digoxin for long-term control may be dangerous in a subset of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Panacek
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Munger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000506:poisoning*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004077:Digoxin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000506:poisoning*; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004077:Digoxin; D004110:Diltiazem