Acute poisoning by cardiovascular agents

Abstract

In order to determine the frequency, severity of poisoning, and the efficacy of the applied therapeutic measures, retrospective study of 391 patients treated for acute drug poisoning was performed during one-year period at the Clinic for Emergency and Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology. In 49 (12.5%) patients cardiovascular agents were the cause of poisoning, most frequently beta-blockers and calcium antagonists (77.5%). Poisoning with antihypertensive agents was registered in 12.2% of patients, antiarrhythmics in 8.2%, and cardiotonics in 2.1%. Beta-blockers and calcium antagonists caused severe poisoning in over 40% of cases. Predominant clinical manifestations were registered on cardiovascular system, while central nervous system effects occured secondary to cardiotoxicity. Symptomatic and supportive measures were performed most frequently, while specific agents, glucagon, calcium salts, and others, were used less often.

Keywords

• poisoning
• cardiovascular agents
• antihypertensive agents
• anti-arrhythmia agents
• cardiotonic agents
• electrocardiography
• pharmacokinetics
• drug therapy