title: [Sotalol--atrial fibrillation, reduced renal function and sudden death].
abstract: Sotalol is a betablocker with additional antiarrythmic properties. Its pharmacokinetic properties may lead to increased serum levels of the drug in patients with reduced kidney function. We report on a case in which kidney failure in a patient using sotalol for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation gave rise to torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia and, eventually, sudden death. Gradual prolongation of the QT interval suggested an overdose of sotalol. Sotalol has been commonly used in cases of angina pectoris and hypertension. The recently published SWORD study has, however, changed the indications for its use, and sotalol should now only be used in cases of severe supraventricular and ventricular arrythmias.
authors.affiliation: Medisinsk avdeling Regionsykehuset i Trondheim.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bathen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madsen
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013015:Sotalol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D013015:Sotalol
vernacular_title: Sotalol--atrieflimmer, redusert nyrefunksjon og plutselig død.