PMID: 9165569May 1, 1997Paper

Prolonged quinidine half-life with associated toxicity in a patient with hepatic failure

Pharmacotherapy
E J StanekB B Pavri

Abstract

A markedly prolonged quinidine elimination half-life due to hepatic failure and resultant quinidine toxicity occurred in a 57-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation. A prolonged QT interval, development of torsades de pointes, and a serum quinidine concentration of 3.1 micrograms/ml contributed to a decision favoring permanent pacemaker implantation. The apparent quinidine half-life ranged from 66-99 hours and was associated with QT prolongation and persistent U waves. On discontinuing quinidine, all signs associated with toxicity resolved as serum quinidine concentrations decreased, which resulted in reversal of the decision to implant a permanent pacemaker. This case reports an extremely long quinidine elimination half-life and reillustrates the importance of drug pharmacokinetics in patient care.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Atrial Filbrillation

Atrial fibrillation refers to the abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.