Frequency and Distribution of Cardiovascular Changes as well as Consciousness Alterations in Patients with Carbamazepine Toxicity

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Medical Student, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Due to significant effects of carbamazepine toxicity on the cardiovascular system and the present contraversy about the frequency of cardiovascular manifestations in such patients, this study was designed to evaluate this issue more throughly.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, patients with carbamazepine poisoning referred to Nour Hospital, Isfahan, were recruited using convinience sampling method. ECG parameters (QRS complex, QT interval, and PR interval), pulse rate, and blood pressure changes, as well as consciousness alterations, were measured in patients on admission and 12 and 24 hours later.Finding: Among 77 patients 49 (63.6%) were women. There was no significant relationship between QT interval and QRS complex changes and pulse rate alteration and carbamazepine toxicity; but there was meaningful association between pulse rate, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and PR interval changes. Furtheremore, there was significant decreasing relationship between loss of consciousness (coma) and blood pressure [systolic and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP)], pulse rate, QRS complex changes at 12 hours after admission. QRS complex had much more width in these patients in comparison with others. There was no correlation between loss of consciousness and diastolic blood pressure, QT interval and PR interval on admisson and 12 hours and 24 hours later.Conclusion: Regarding the founded relation between level of consciousness and changes at 12 hours after admission, evaluation of patients about vital sign and ECG monitoring, specialy in lower level of consciousness, should be considered; it will lead to prevent unexpected complication, mortality and to reduce the length of hospitalisation.  

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