Lithium-induced Cardiotoxicity: A Rare Clinical Entity.

Abstract

Lithium has been used effectively used in the management of mood disorders, such as bipolar disease, acute mania, and hypomania. As the therapeutic index is very narrow for lithium, it is important to monitor lithium levels periodically to avoid toxic effects. Common toxic effects include diarrhea, tremor, muscle weakness, ataxia, and myoclonus. Severe toxicity can present with seizures, coma, and death. Cardiotoxicity secondary to lithium is rarely reported in the medical literature and can range from dysrhythmias and cardiomyopathies to myocardial infarction. We describe an interesting case report of cardiac toxicity secondary to lithium in a bipolar patient managed conservatively in an intensive care setting.

• Authors: Sudeep Acharya, Abdul Hasan Siddiqui, Shamsuddin Anwar, Saad Habib, Shamsuddin Anwar
• Journal: Cureus (Cureus) Vol. 12 Issue 3 Pg. e7286 (Mar 16 2020) ISSN: 2168-8184 [Print] United States
• PMID: 32300505 (Publication Type: Case Reports)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020, Acharya et al.