Malabsorption causing failure of pharmacological therapy in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
We report a case of atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to medical management. The patient had previously undergone extensive gastric and small bowel surgery. Subsequently we demonstrated malabsorption of administered anti-arrhythmics as the cause of her refractory AF. Malabsorption, even to lesser degrees and from other causes should be considered in cases of unexplained therapeutic refractoriness.
Denton-Beaumont
Ruth N
RN
Banning
Amerjeet S
AS
Gershlick
Anthony H
AH
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents