Acute dilated cardiomyopathy and central nervous system toxicity following propranolol intoxication.
OBJECTIVE
We report a case of a 16-year-old boy who developed central nervous system (CNS) depression and acute dilated cardiomyopathy following ingestion of 3200 mg of propranolol in a suicide attempt. Early echocardiographic findings were the only sign of cardiac toxicity.


METHODS
A case report.


METHODS
Pediatric intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.


RESULTS
This child developed significant acute dilated cardiomyopathy and severe CNS depression 2 hours after ingesting 3200 mg of propranolol. The child was treated with gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and mechanical ventilation. Following the echocardiographic findings, treatment with isoprenaline hydrochloride and glucagon were given intravenously. Echocardiographic examination 12 hours following treatment showed normal left ventricular size and function. No change in pulse rate or blood pressure was reported on admission and during his hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
In the early stages of propranolol and other lipophilic beta-blocker intoxication, severe CNS depression can develop in the absence of clinical signs of cardiac toxicity. Early echocardiographic evaluation is important and may prevent delay in diagnosis and treatment of cardiac toxicity.
Lifshitz
M
M
Toxicology Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. matyl@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Zucker
N
N
Zalzstein
E
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000506:poisoning*; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy; D004452:Echocardiography; D005934:Glucagon / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000506:poisoning*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000931:Antidotes; D005934:Glucagon; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol