amoxicillin-potassium-clavulanate-combination and Heart-Arrest

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Hypersensitivity; Dyspnea; Electrocardiography; Heart Arrest; Humans; Male; Physical Examination; Respiratory Insufficiency; Risk Factors

Acquired long QT syndrome is a rare condition whose diagnosis is of vital importance given the risk of torsade de pointes and sudden death. This syndrome may be triggered by various events in patients with a genetic predisposition. Patients usually have a normal baseline QT interval. Some of the factors that may prolong the interval are exposure to common drugs such as antibiotics or agents used for general anesthesia. Diagnosis of the condition is essential, as is knowledge of how to manage anesthesia and prevent ventricular fibrillation, which is the most feared complication. We report the case of a man with no relevant medical history who underwent emergency surgery for a peritonsillar abscess. The patient developed long QT syndrome, with several episodes of torsade de pointes and cardiorespiratory arrest.

Topics: Adjuvants, Anesthesia; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Combined Modality Therapy; Drainage; Electric Countershock; Heart Arrest; Humans; Long QT Syndrome; Male; Methyl Ethers; Metronidazole; Middle Aged; Peritonsillar Abscess; Postoperative Complications; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Sevoflurane; Torsades de Pointes; Ventricular Fibrillation