Drug-related syncope.

Abstract

The records of 483 patients admitted to the emergency room because of syncope were reviewed. Forty-one patients were found to have drug-related syncope. Thirty-nine experienced syncope related to drugs administered for cardiovascular disease. The most frequently associated diseases were anginal syndrome (22 patients), hypertension (13 patients), and a history of myocardial infarction (6 patients). Thirty-eight patients experienced symptomatic orthostatic hypotension following drug taking (nitrates in 19 patients, beta blockers in 10 patients, nifedipine in 3 patients, prazosin and quinidine in 2 patients each, methyldopa and verapamil in 1 patient each). One patient developed complete heart block as a result of digoxin intoxication. Two patients developed the characteristic picture of anaphylactic reaction (1 with ampicillin, 1 with dipyrone). During one-year follow-up, without the offending medications, no further syncopal episodes were reported by these patients. We conclude that drug-related syncope was more common among our patients with syncope than had been reported previously. It is suggested that drug-related syncope should be taken into consideration in any patient with syncope who is treated by any of the above-mentioned drugs.

• Authors: E Davidson, J Fuchs, Z Rotenberg, I Weinberger, J Agmon
• Journal: Clinical cardiology (Clin Cardiol) Vol. 12 Issue 10 Pg. 577-80 (Oct 1989) ISSN: 0160-9289 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2805462 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cardiovascular Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cardiovascular Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (drug therapy)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Medical History Taking
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Syncope (chemically induced, diagnosis, physiopathology)