Sinus Node Dysfunction After Acute Lithium Treatment at Therapeutic Levels

Conclusion Our case strongly suggests that sinus node dysfunction of lithium can occur even with lithium levels in the therapeutic range and in short-term “acute” treatment. Therefore, patients receiving lithium therapy should have their pulse monitored regulatory for any rhythm abnormalities, and lithium should be discontinued if rhythm disturbances occur during treatment. Further, when prescribing lithium, clinicians should regularly monitor their patients’ ECG and serum lithium levels to prevent serious or fatal complications. Acknowledgment The authors would like to thank our colleagues throughout Kosekai-Kusatsu Hospital for their assistance with this case report. The authors have no conflict of interest to this report. References 1. Linakis JG, Toxicity, lithium. Last Updated: January 8, 2007. Medscape website. http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic301.htm, Accessed November 1, 2015. 2. Baldesarini RJ, Tarazi FI. Drugs and the treatment of psychiatric disorders: psychosis and mania. In: Hardman JG, Limbird LE (eds). Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 10th editon. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001:507–511. 3. Livingstone C, Rampes H. Lithium: a review of its metabolic adverse effects. J Psychopharmacol. 2006; 20:347–355. 4. Darbar D, Yang T, Churchwell K, et al. Unmasking of brugada syndrome by lithium. Circulation. 2005;112:1527–1531. 5. Bogdanov KY, Vinogradova TM, Lakatta EG. Sinoatrial nodal cell ryanodine receptor and Na(+)-Ca(2+...
Source: Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Case Report Current Issue Psychiatry Psychopharmacology Schizophrenia cardiac toxicity ECG Lithium sinus node dysfunction therapeutic level Source Type: research