Bretylium Tosylate and Ventricular Fibrillation in Hypothermia
Authors: GURPEET KOCHAR
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Letters and Corrections1 October 1986Bretylium Tosylate and Ventricular Fibrillation in HypothermiaGURPEET KOCHAR, M.D., STEVEN E. KAHN, M.B., Ch.B., MORRIS N. KOTLER, M.D.GURPEET KOCHAR, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, STEVEN E. KAHN, M.B., Ch.B.Search for more papers by this author, MORRIS N. KOTLER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-105-4-624_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: Ventricular fibrillation in patients with severe hypothermia is often refractory to conventional therapy with core rewarming, correction of hypoxia and acidosis, and lidocaine infusion. The combination of rewarming and infusion of bretylium tosylate may be effective in controlling ventricular fibrillation in such patients.A 42-year-old homeless man was found comatose on the street on 9 January 1986. On hospitalization, he was in asystole, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately begun. His initial arterial blood gases showed a PO2of 27 torr; PCO2, 61 torr; pH, 7.13; bicarbonate, 19 meq/L; and serum potassium, 2.6 meq/L. Other electrolytes were within...References1. REULER J. Hypothermia: pathophysiology, clinical setting, and management. Ann Intern Med. 1978;89:519-27. LinkGoogle Scholar2. MACLEANEMSLIE-SMITH DD. Accidental Hypothermia. London: Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1977:94-6. Google Scholar3. TOWNEGEISSYANESRAHIMTOOLA WWHS. Intractable ventricular fibrillation associated with profound hypothermia. N Engl J Med. 1972;287:1135-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. NEILSENOWMAN KC. Control of ventricular fibrillation during induced hypothermia in cats after blocking the adrenergic neurons with bretylium. Life Sci. 1968;7:159-68. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. BUCKLEYBOSCHBACANER JOM. Prevention of ventricular fibrillation during hypothermia with bretylium tosylate. Anesth Analg. 1971;50:587-93. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Albert Einstein Medical Center Temple University School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA 19141 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited BySuccessful Defibrillation of Four Hypothermic Patients with Witnessed Cardiac ArrestHypothermia, Hyperthermia, and RhabdomyolysisAmiodarone and Bretylium in the Treatment of Hypothermic Ventricular Fibrillation in a Canine ModelHot topics in cold medicine: Controversies in accidental hypothermiaDisorders of ThermoregulationIntravenous bretylium overdoseEffect of bretylium tosylate on ventricular fibrillation threshold during hypothermia in dogsBretylium tosylate and electrically induced cardiac arrhythmias during hypothermia in dogsAccidental hypothermiaSubstance AbuseNew Horizons in Management of Hypothermia and Frostbite InjuryMulticenter hypothermia survey 1 October 1986Volume 105, Issue 4Page: 624-624KeywordsComaHeartHospitalizationsHypothermiaHypoxiaPartial pressure of carbon dioxidePartial pressure of oxygenPotassiumSaltsVentricular fibrillation Issue Published: 1 October 1986 PDF DownloadLoading ...