Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine (Jun 2015)

Salbutamol Abuse is Associated with Ventricular Fibrillation

  • Emin UYSAL,
  • Suleyman SOLAK,
  • Murat CARUS,
  • Nedim UZUN,
  • Erdem CEVIK

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 2
pp. 87 – 89

Abstract

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SUMMARY: Salbutamol-induced cardiac complications are well-established. Herein, we describe a case of a 24-year female who was admitted to the emergency department because of a suicide attempt with salbutamol (76 mg). Salbutamol abuse induced the development of supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Regular sinus rhythm was restored with defibrillation. The hypokalemic patient who stayed in the intensive care unit was discharged after 48 hours of hospitalization. Key words: Salbutamol, suicide, ventricular fibrillation