Malign Arrhythmia Development Due to Propafenone Overdose: A Case Report

Abstract

Propafenone is a group 1C antiarrhytmic agent. It is an agent used in patients with symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia requiring treatment, such as atrioventricular node tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. It is also used in life-threatining symptomatic ventricular tachycardia requiring treatment and with excessive intake it has serious side effects on cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nervous, haematological and dermatological systems. In this report, we present a case of propafenone intake with suicidal purpose and we aim to share our experience with malign arrhytmia development and arrhytmia management. A 22-year-old female patient presented to our emergency department with complaints of general situation distortion and feeling sick after ingesting 20 pills (6 g) of her friend's Propafenone HCl 300 mg for suicidal purpose one hour previously. In the electrocardiography(ECG), regular rhythm, wide QRS and the absence of P-wave was observed. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia developed and defibrillation with 360 joule was performed followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. NaHCO3 administration of 1 mEq/kg every 4 hours was initiated. After the therapy, QRS duration shortened. The patient became conscious with spontaneous ventilation. Early diagnosis and appropriate resuscitative interventions can be vital in propafenone intoxication. NaHCO 3 administration in the presence of hypotension and ECG abnormalities are vital.