Recurrent ventricular tachycardia due to pentamidine-induced cardiotoxicity.

Although pentamidine isethionate is effective in the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, it frequently causes serious adverse reactions. We report a case of reversible pentamidine-induced cardiotoxicity, characterized electrocardiographically by prolongation of the QT interval, T-wave inversion, and electrical alternans of the U-wave. In addition, the patient had repeated episodes of ventricular tachycardia that culminated in torsades de pointes.

Rapid estimation of unbound lidocaine clearance in cardiac patients: implications for reducing toxicity.

The clearance (CL), volume of distribution (Vd) and elimination half-life (t1/2), based on unbound and total concentration-time data, were estimated using two serum lidocaine concentrations drawn approximately 6 and 12 hours after the initiation of continuous intravenous lidocaine therapy in nine patients with myocardial infarction (MI) (in the immediate postinfarct period) and in 12 patients with ventricular arrhythmias. No significant intergroup differences were found for any of the parameters based on unbound or total lidocaine concentration-time data. A significant (P less than .

Chylous reflux syndrome involving the pericardium and lung.

A ten-year-old boy with symptom-free pulmonary interstitial edema and pericardial effusion was found to have a chylous reflux syndrome involving the pericardium and lung. Evidence suggests that unlike patients with isolated primary chylopericardium in whom pericardial window and/or ligation of the thoracic duct is curative, those with chylous reflux should be managed medically since the morbidity and mortality of surgical treatment is high in this syndrome.