@article{ref1,
title="Ventricular dysrhythmias associated with poisoning and drug overdose: a 10-year review of statewide poison control center data from California",
journal="American journal of cardiovascular drugs",
year="2015",
author="Al-Abri, Suad A. and Woodburn, Claire and Olson, Kent R. and Kearney, Thomas E.",
volume="15",
number="1",
pages="43-50",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Ventricular dysrhythmias are a serious consequence associated with drug overdose and chemical poisoning. The risk factors for the type of ventricular dysrhythmia and the outcomes by drug class are not well documented. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the most common drugs and chemicals associated with ventricular dysrhythmias and their outcomes. <br><br>METHODS: We reviewed all human exposures reported to a statewide poison control system between 2002 and 2011 that had a documented ventricular dysrhythmia. Cases were differentiated into two groups by type of arrhythmia: (1) ventricular fibrillation and/or tachycardia (VT/VF); and (2) torsade de pointes (TdP). <br><br>RESULTS: Among the 300 potential cases identified, 148 cases met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 132 cases (89 %) experienced an episode of VT or VF, while the remaining 16 cases (11 %) had an episode of TdP. The most commonly involved therapeutic classes of drugs associated with VT/VF were antidepressants (33/132, 25 %), stimulants (33/132, 25 %), and diphenhydramine (16/132, 12.1 %). Those associated with TdP were antidepressants (4/16, 25 %), methadone (4/16, 25 %), and antiarrhythmics (3/16, 18.75 %). Drug exposures with the greatest risk of death in association with VT/VF were antidepressant exposure [odds ratio (OR) 1.71; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.705-4.181] and antiarrhythmic exposure (OR 1.75; 95 % CI 0.304-10.05), but neither association was statistically significant. Drug exposures with a statistically significant risk for TdP included methadone and antiarrhythmic drugs. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressants and stimulants were the most common drugs associated with ventricular dysrhythmias. Patients with suspected poisonings by medications with a high risk of ventricular dysrhythmia warrant prompt ECG monitoring.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1175-3277",
doi="10.1007/s40256-014-0104-1",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40256-014-0104-1"
}