Life-Threatening Hypokalemia in an Asthmatic Patient Treated with High-Dose Hydrocortisone

2004 ◽  
Vol 327 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weng-Sheng Tsai ◽  
Chien-Ping Wu ◽  
Yu-Juei Hsu ◽  
Shih-Hua Lin
Keyword(s):  
Asthmatic Patient ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Life Threatening

929 Not Another Abscess - A Case of Streptococcal Myositis Misdiagnosed as a Right Axillary Abscess

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Oyende ◽  
J Jackman
Keyword(s):  
White Cell Count ◽  
General Surgeon ◽  
High Dose ◽  
General Anaesthetic ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Affected Tissue ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Degree

Abstract Introduction Streptococcal myositis is a rare form of infectious myositis caused by Lansfield A beta-haemolytic streptococci. It is characterised by rapidly spreading inflammation that can result in severe systemic toxicity and necrosis of the affected tissue if not diagnosed and aggressively treated. Presentation We report a case of a 42-year-old male who presented with a one-week history of worsening right axillary swelling that progressed to painful swelling of his arm. Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated with a white cell count of 17 ×109/L and C-reactive protein of 212 mg/L. On examination, a fluctuant axillary swelling was appreciated, and a decision was made for incision and drainage under general anaesthetic. Intraoperative aspiration of his arm revealed copious purulent fluid prompting intraoperative orthopaedic consult and exploration of the anterior compartment in which there was extensive involvement of the biceps muscle. The microbiological analysis revealed gram-positive cocci in chains, and microbiology advice sought for tailoring of antibiotic regimen. He has recovered well. Discussion Though uncommon, the emergency general surgeon should have a high degree of suspicion when evaluating soft tissue infections to avert potentially disastrous outcomes. Conclusion Early diagnosis, aggressive management with high-dose intravenous antibiotics, and surgical debridement are principles to treat this rare, life-threatening infection.

scholarly journals Neuroleptic malignant syndrome following catatonia: Vigilance is the price of antipsychotic prescription

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2050313X1769599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J Reilly ◽  
Sean Cross ◽  
David M Taylor ◽  
Richard Haslam ◽  
Sophie C Tomlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Adverse Drug Reaction ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Intravenous Fluids ◽  
Life Threatening

Objectives: To describe a case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome following antipsychotic treatment of catatonia, highlighting the potentially serious complications of this rare adverse drug reaction. Methods: We present a case report of a patient who developed this syndrome with various sequelae. Results: The patient developed neuroleptic after being treated with lorazepam and olanzapine for catatonia. He subsequently developed the complications of rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, pulmonary embolism, urinary retention and ileus. He received high-dose lorazepam, anticoagulation and intravenous fluids. Antipsychotic medication in the form of haloperidol was reinstated with no adverse effect, and he went on to make a full recovery. Conclusions: This case illustrates the potential life-threatening complications of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and the need for a low index of clinical suspicion. It also highlights the lack of evidence for treatment of catatonia, including the use of antipsychotics.

Mechanism of Anaphylactoid Reactions: Improper Preparation of High-Dose Intravenous Cyclosporine Leads to Bolus Infusion of Cremophor El and Cyclosporine

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1287-1291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merry Liau-Chu ◽  
Jochen GW Theis ◽  
Gideon Koren
Keyword(s):  
High Dose ◽  
Cremophor El ◽  
Bolus Infusion ◽  
Cyclosporine Therapy ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Anaphylactoid Reactions ◽  
Mixing Techniques ◽  
Initial Bolus ◽  
Therapy Protocol

BACKGROUND: During a Phase I/II trial of high-dose intravenous cyclosporine, a high incidence of anaphylactoid reactions was observed. Epidemiologic investigations revealed that the occurrence of anaphylactoid reactions was significantly associated with improper mixing during preparation of the infusions. It was hypothesized that improper mixing during the preparation of the infusion may have caused initial bolus infusions of the vehicle, Cremophor EL. These inadvertent bolus infusions may have caused the anaphylactoid reactions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different mixing techniques on the distribution of the components of cyclosporine concentrate for infusion: cyclosporine, Cremophor EL, and ethanol in the infusions administered to the patients. METHODS: Infusions were prepared in a similar fashion as those administered to study patients enrolled in a high-dose cyclosporine therapy protocol. Samples were collected at defined time points of the infusions. Concentrations of cyclosporine and Cremophor EL were spectrophotometrically determined; ethanol concentrations were measured enzymatically. RESULTS: Cyclosporine and Cremophor EL concentrations were up to ninefold higher than intended during the first 10 minutes of the infusions that were not appropriately mixed. In contrast, the concentrations of cyclosporine and Cremophor EL were similar to the intended concentrations in all of the well-mixed infusions. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate mixing of high-dose cyclosporine infusions can lead to initial bolus infusion of cyclosporine and Cremophor EL. Bolus infusions of Cremophor EL have been associated with anaphylactoid reactions. Thus, thorough mixing of high-dose cyclosporine infusions may be important to reduce the possibility of life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions.

scholarly journals Necrotizing myopathy presenting as congestive heart failure and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyunghee Lim ◽  
Jong Sung Park ◽  
Byeol-A Yoon ◽  
Song-Hee Han
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Ventricular Arrhythmias ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Respiratory Impairment ◽  
Motor Weakness ◽  
High Dose Steroid ◽  
Necrotizing Autoimmune Myopathy ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Autoimmune Myopathy

Abstract Background Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy is a rare subtype of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy; however, it can be associated with fatal cardiac manifestations. Case summary A 58-year-old female patient was referred for congestive heart failure with dysrhythmia. Electrocardiograms showed ventricular arrhythmias of various QRS complex morphologies and coupling intervals with beat-to-beat differences. Despite optimal medical therapy for heart failure, the patient was admitted for the progression of dyspnoea and generalized motor weakness. The burden of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia gradually increased, and ventricular fibrillation eventually occurred. In view of a differential diagnosis of an inflammatory myocardial diseases such as sarcoidosis, a cardiac biopsy was performed. However, pathologic examinations revealed only necrotic muscle fibres without granuloma. Further examinations revealed proximal dominant motor weakness, an elevated serum creatinine-phosphokinase level, myogenic potentials on needle electromyography, and biceps muscle biopsy findings that were compatible with necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. High-dose steroid therapy improved the patient’s motor weakness, including her respiratory impairment, and successfully suppressed ventricular arrhythmias. Discussion This case suggests that intensive immunosuppressive therapy with high-dose steroid could be useful in the necrotizing autoimmune myopathy manifested as congestive heart failure and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

scholarly journals Electrocardiographic abnormalities with quinine and artesunate combinations in comparison to quinine or artesunate alone in severe falciparum malaria

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1520
Author(s):  
Anjali Tarai ◽  
Kali Prasad Pattnaik ◽  
Kumar Haraprasad Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Cardiac Arrhythmia ◽  
Electrolyte Imbalance ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Qtc Interval ◽  
Qtc Prolongation ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Electrocardiographic Recordings ◽  
Severe Falciparum Malaria

Background: In Multi drug resistant falciparum malaria anti-malarial combinations are frequently used i.e. Quinine and IV Artesunate. Quinine is associated with electrocardiographic disturbances. Artesunate in high dose produce QTC prolongation in animal models, so the electrocardiogram (ECG) is thoroughly studied.Methods: Severe falciparum malaria cases 15 to 60 years were randomly allocated into 3 treatment regimens i.e. Artesunate, Quinine alone and their combination. Electrocardiographic recordings were taken periodically in 3 groups and compared statistically.Results: The mean QTC interval is significantly prolonged in combination treatment group from 0.40+0.02 to 0.49+0.09 (P<0.05) ECG disturbance (44%). QTC prolongation was commonest (i.e. 27%) with electrolyte imbalance could produce life threatening cardiac arrhythmia (Polymorphic VT with Sr K+ 2.9). Artesunate alone was list prone (i.e. only 6%) Quinine though has comparatively more (i.e. 25%) but there is no life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia in artesunate and Quinine.

6081Efficacy and limitations of quinidine therapy in patients with Brugada Syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mazzanti ◽  
E Tenuta ◽  
M Marino ◽  
E Pagan ◽  
M Morini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Brugada Syndrome ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Patients Experience

Abstract Background Quinidine at high-dose is used in patients with Brugada Syndrome (BrS), but its efficacy to prevent life-threatening arrhythmic events (LAE) in BrS is unproven and its use is limited by side effects. Objective We assessed whether low-dose quinidine in BrS patients reduces: 1) the occurrence of a first LAE; 2) the arrhythmic burden in the high-risk group of cardiac arrest survivors. Methods We first compared the clinical course of 53 BrS patients treated with quinidine to that of 441 untreated controls, matched by sex, age, and symptoms. Furthermore, we calculated the annual incidence of LAEs off- and on-quinidine in 123 BrS patients who had survived a cardiac arrest. Results First, we compared the clinical course of 53 BrS patients treated with quinidine (i.e. “cases”: 89% males, median age 40 years) to that of 441 untreated, clinically-matched BrS patients (i.e. “controls”: 91% males, median age 41 years) present in our database of patients with inherited arrhythmias. Cases received quinidine (median dose of 450 mg per day) for 5.0±3.7 years. Quinidine was interrupted in only 3/53 cases (6%) for side effects and it conferred a nonsignificant reduction of the risk of a first LAE in cases versus controls (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.22–2.48, P=0.62). Secondly, we calculated the annual recurrence of LAE off- and on-quinidine in 123 BrS cardiac arrest survivors, 27 of whom were treated with quinidine for 7.0±3.5 years. The annual rate of recurrent LAEs decreased significantly from 14.7% while off-quinidine to 3.9% while on-quinidine (P=0.03). Notably, recurrent life-threatening arrhythmic events were recorded in 4/27 (15%) symptomatic patients while on-quinidine. Conclusion We demonstrated for the first time in the long-term that low-dose quinidine reduces the recurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias in symptomatic BrS patients, with few side effects. Remarkably, about one-fifth of symptomatic patients experience life-threatening arrhythmias while on-treatment, suggesting that quinidine cannot replace implantable defibrillators in high-risk subjects.

Life-threatening complications after high-dose methotrexate and the benefits of glucarpidase as salvage therapy: a cohort study of 468 patients

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Chloé Medrano ◽  
Lucie Oberic ◽  
Florent Puisset ◽  
Christian Recher ◽  
Delphine Larrieu-Ciron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Salvage Therapy ◽  
High Dose ◽  
High Dose Methotrexate ◽  
Dose Methotrexate ◽  
Life Threatening

scholarly journals Anakinra in the treatment of protracted paradoxical inflammatory reactions in HIV-associated tuberculosis in the United Kingdom: a report of two cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 808-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander J Keeley ◽  
Vivak Parkash ◽  
Anne Tunbridge ◽  
Julia Greig ◽  
Paul Collini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Amyloid A ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
First Case ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Dose Corticosteroid

Paradoxical reactions, including immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), are common in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB). Paradoxical reactions may confer substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in cases of central nervous system (CNS) TB, or through protracted usage of corticosteroids. No high-quality evidence is available to guide management in this scenario. Interleukin-1-mediated inflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of TB–IRIS. We describe two cases where anakinra (human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) was used as steroid-sparing therapy for life-threatening protracted paradoxical inflammation in HIV-associated TB. In the first case of disseminated TB with lymphadenitis, protracted TB–IRIS led to amyloid A amyloidosis and nephrotic syndrome. In the second case of disseminated TB with cerebral tuberculomata, paradoxical inflammation caused unstable tuberculomata leading to profound neuro-disability. In both cases, paradoxical inflammation persisted for over a year. Protracted high-dose corticosteroid use led to adverse events yet failed to control inflammatory pathology. In both patients, anakinra successfully controlled paradoxical inflammation and facilitated withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy. Following anakinra therapy, nephrotic syndrome and neuro-disability resolved, respectively. Anakinra therapy for protracted paradoxical inflammation in HIV-associated TB may be a viable therapeutic option and warrants further research.

scholarly journals Endotoxin depresses heart rate variability in mice: cytokine and steroid effects

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (4) ◽  
pp. R1019-R1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen D. Fairchild ◽  
Jeffrey J. Saucerman ◽  
Laura L. Raynor ◽  
Joseph A. Sivak ◽  
Yuping Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Biphasic Response ◽  
Dexamethasone Treatment ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Surgical Implantation ◽  
Temporally Correlated

Heart rate variability (HRV) falls in humans with sepsis, but the mechanism is not well understood. We utilized a mouse model of endotoxemia to test the hypothesis that cytokines play a role in abnormal HRV during sepsis. Adult male C57BL/6 mice underwent surgical implantation of probes to continuously monitor electrocardiogram and temperature or blood pressure via radiotelemetry. Administration of high-dose LPS ( Escherichia coli LPS, 10 mg/kg, n = 10) caused a biphasic response characterized by an early decrease in temperature and heart rate at 1 h in some mice, followed by a prolonged period of depressed HRV in all mice. Further studies showed that LPS doses as low as 0.01 mg/kg evoked a significant decrease in HRV. With high-dose LPS, the initial drops in temperature and HR were temporally correlated with peak expression of TNFα 1 h post-LPS, whereas maximal depression in HRV coincided with peak levels of multiple other cytokines 3–9 h post-LPS. Neither hypotension nor hypothermia explained the HRV response. Pretreatment with dexamethasone prior to LPS significantly blunted expression of 7 of the 10 cytokines studied and shortened the duration of depressed HRV by about half. Interestingly, dexamethasone treatment alone caused a dramatic increase in both low- and high-frequency HRV. Administration of recombinant TNFα caused a biphasic response in HR and HRV similar to that caused by LPS. Understanding the role of cytokines in abnormal HRV during sepsis could lead to improved strategies for detecting life-threatening nosocomial infections in intensive care unit patients.

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