A Case of Ventricular Tachycardia Induced by Amitriptyline in a Patient with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy.
- Author:
Hyun Jung BOK
1
;
Young Ok KIM
;
Hui Kyung JEON
;
Mi Jung SHIN
;
Eun Jung JUN
;
Tae Seo SHON
;
Sun Ae YOON
;
Ki Ho SONG
;
Hyun Shik SON
;
Jang Seong CHAE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Amitriptyline;
Ventricular tachycardia;
Diabetic neuropathy
- MeSH:
Amitriptyline*;
Diabetic Neuropathies*;
Electric Countershock;
Electrocardiography;
Heart Diseases;
Humans;
Middle Aged;
Tachycardia, Ventricular*;
Thorax;
Vital Signs
- From:Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology
1999;14(1):183-188
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetic mellitus and has myriad clinical presentations. Amitriptyline is an effective drug for painful diabetic neuropathy, but has a wide variety of cardiovascular effects. We report a case of amitriptyline-induced ventricular tachycardia in a patient with painful diabetic neuropathy. A 48-year-old man with no history of heart disease was treated with amitriptyline for the past 2 months. The dosage of this drug was gradually increased and the maximal dose was 170 mg per day. Prior to administration of this drug, his chest X-ray and electrocardiogram were normal. On admission he complained of chest discomfort and palpitation for 3 days, but his vital sign was stable. The electrocardiogram showed a wide QRS complex with a rate of 170 beats per minute. The ventricular tachycardia was successfully treated with electrical cardioversion.
