Intravenous bretylium overdose

Am J Emerg Med. 1995 Mar;13(2):177-9. doi: 10.1016/0735-6757(95)90089-6.

Abstract

An 81.5-mg/kg intravenous overdose of bretylium tosylate was administered to a 74-year-old patient after resuscitation from inferior wall myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest. The patient exhibited prolonged neurological depression with eventual neurological recovery. This case demonstrates the central nervous system depression that can occur with bretylium overdose. The emergency physician should be aware of this effect and avoid ending lifesaving measures because of apparent brain death in patients with bretylium overdose.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Diseases / chemically induced
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Bretylium Tosylate / administration & dosage
  • Bretylium Tosylate / poisoning*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Overdose
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest / drug therapy
  • Heart Arrest / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Resuscitation

Substances

  • Bretylium Tosylate